Trash your Christmas tree and support a Guelph charity

There is no Christmas tree pick-up in Guelph, but residents can still leave their trees at the curb and support a local charity in the process.

The Children's Foundation of Guelph and Wellington which helps children living in financial need thorough breakfast programs and funding for sports and recreation is running its annual Trees for Tots program. As part of the program, residents within the city limits can sign up to have their Christmas trees carted away for a minimum donation of $10.

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The city eliminated Christmas tree pick-up in 2013 as a cost saving measure. Residents now must dispose of trees themselves at the city's waste facility for a fee of $33 plus HST.

"We saw an opportunity to offer a service to residents to have their tree picked up for a small donation," the foundation's executive director Glenna Banda said.

The deadline to sign up is end of day Dec. 29, and pick up is Jan. 7.

Wood chips used in community

On Jan. 7, a large crew of volunteers drive routes around the city and pick up the trees about 2,500 last year which are then taken to chipping sites. Those wood chips are then used in environmental programs, like community gardens.

"Each year we look for different projects," Banda said. This year, the wood chips will be used on the hiking trails at the St. Ignatius Jesuit Centre just north of Guelph.

When taking your tree to the curb, Banda said residents should remember to take off all decorations and tree stands. She says often they end up with a small pile of ornaments at the chipping sites, and they'll try to share images online to get them back to their owners.

One year, she recalled, a person signed up for the pick-up and when she and the other volunteers arrived, the tree was still in the house, fully decorated. The family had forgotten about pickup day.

When that happens, a second wave of volunteers will go around to do a "clean up" a few days later, Banda said.