Discarded Christmas trees collected during January waste pickup in Whitby will be repurposed for local creek restoration projects, giving them a second life beyond the holiday season.
The initiative, now in its second year, is a partnership between the Town of Whitby and the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA). Collected trees will be used primarily in restoration work along Lynde Creek, where they help stabilize stream banks, reduce erosion, capture sediment, and create vital habitat for aquatic life, including endangered species.
While Whitby collects natural Christmas trees each January as part of its leaf and yard waste program, the partnership ensures the trees continue to provide environmental benefits long after the holidays have ended. The town emphasized that the restoration efforts are strategic and science-based, and residents are reminded not to dump Christmas trees directly into creeks.
Collection Schedule and Guidelines
Christmas tree collection will take place over the next two weeks:
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Blue (odd-numbered) collection areas: January 12 to 16
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Yellow (even-numbered) collection areas: January 19 to 23
Residents are asked to ensure all trees are natural and free of tinsel, decorations, wire, stands, or bags. Trees longer than three metres (10 feet) must be cut in half, and trees frozen into snowbanks will not be collected.
To confirm collection dates, residents can consult the waste collection calendar, download the Whitby Waste Buddy app, or visit the town’s waste management webpage.
Photo Credits : https://www.insauga.com/discarded-christmas-trees-to-be-used-in-creek-restoration-projects-in-ontario-town/
