Residents looking to recycle Christmas trees in North Battleford will have availability at two facilities this month. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Moisture maintenance

Christmas tree recycling program back in North Battleford

Jan 7, 2022 | 1:05 PM

Since the holiday season has now passed, the City of North Battleford is reminding residents of the annual recycling program for Christmas trees.

Each year, the City takes real trees and turns them into chips for mulch, which is used throughout the municipality by parks and recreation to manage moisture and weed growth.

Communications Manager Dustin McDonald said getting recycled trees is important for the tree and shrub beds throughout the city.

“This really helps the growth of trees and shrubs because it retains moisture, which was very important with last year being so dry,” he said. “All the mulch did its best to retain all the moisture that it could.”

Saskatchewan experienced severe shortages in precipitation throughout the summer, along with multiple serious wildfires.

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Residents have multiple opportunities to drop their trees off at one of two facilities this month, which also allows for having them in homes during Ukrainian Christmas.

The City of North Battleford Parks Shop, located at 11202 – Eighth Ave., will be available weekdays from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. until Jan. 28. The Waste Management Facility will also take in Christmas trees, without fees, until Jan. 29. Regular fees for Christmas trees resume on Jan. 31. Those open hours are Monday to Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., though there’s no admittance past 5:45 p.m.

McDonald said the second option makes things flexible enough for anyone who wants to drop off their trees.

“That should help anyone who needs to bring the trees in outside of their regular work schedule,” he said. “It’s important that residents participate in this free program each year, at either one of our two drop off locations.”

An important factor for anyone’s participation is the removal of lights, string, wire, ornaments, tinsel and fake snow before dropping the tree off. McDonald said this isn’t done by staff and is necessary to ensure the most efficiency of the material.

“We ask the residents to be responsible and remove all the non-organic decorations from the tree, so it doesn’t degrade the mulch or damage any city equipment,” he said. “Which is very costly.”

An online tool called Recycle Coach is available or as an app, to determine what is trash or recycling. More information on the Christmas tree program is available on the City’s website.

Smart Meter bookings

The Water Meter Conversion program, which began in March, is approximately 59 per cent complete. All areas of North Battleford are currently booking installations, except for properties with known ¾” meters. McDonald said the City is encouraging residents to book an installation appointment for their convenience.

“It’s mandatory, so you might as well book now when it’s convenient for you, rather than having a date and time where it’s imposed on you,” he said.

Information on how to book an appointment is available here.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW