THUNDER BAY – The City of Thunder Bay reminds residents that brightly coloured paper and foil gift wrap cannot be recycled due to the extremely high ink content of the paper. Discarded wrap cannot be recycled in the paper products blue bag with fine paper, flyers and boxboard.
“Recool Canada picks up recycling bags at the curb, but if they contain wrapping paper, they will not be collected,” said Jason Sherband, Coordinator Solid Waste Diversion and Recycling, Roads Division. “Wrappings must be put out with your regular garbage.”
Residents can help reduce the volume of paper wasted by packing away wrap and using it next year. Other options include using reusable fabric or paper gift bags, and containers such as tins and decorated baskets.
As the Christmas season continues, the tradition is keeping your tree up until at least New Year’s Day. However the City is also reminding residents that “As an alternative to throwing natural Christmas trees out, the City of Thunder Bay is reminding citizens that they can be recycled at one of Thunder Bay’s tree chipping drop-off locations”.
Trees are ground into chips at the Solid Waste and Recycling Facility where they are combined with compost made from organic material collected during the spring and fall leaf and yard waste curbside collection. The final product is given away in the spring to beautify residents’ lawns and flower gardens.
North Christmas tree drop-off locations:
- Brent Park (Balsam Street at Margaret Street)
- County Park Tennis Courts (County Boulevard)
- Grandview Arena (Madeline Street in between Grandview Arena & Westminster United Church – not in the arena parking lot)
- John Jumbo Recreation Centre (Toivo Street)
South Christmas tree drop-off locations:
- Delaney Arena (Legion Track Drive)
- Kinsmen Northwood Centre (609 N James Street)
- Lakehead Labour Centre (Fort William Road)
- Westfort Playing Field (Off Neebing Avenue)
The West Thunder Community Centre drop off location is closed this year during the construction of the new Mary J. L. Black Library.
Please remove all ornaments and tinsel from the tree before bringing it to a drop-off location. If you use a plastic tree bag to transport your tree, take it away with you. Trees cannot be left at recycling depots or put out at the curb for collection with the garbage.
Drop-off sites are open from Dec. 26 to Jan. 9. There is no charge for tree chipping.