Christmas trees can be recycled or reused

Christmas trees will be picked up on green bin days until Jan. 13. (CBC)

Christmas is officially over and tree collection started on Boxing Day in Halifax.

The Halifax region runs a dedicated tree collection program from Dec. 24 until Jan. 13.

On scheduled green bin days, extra trucks will make the rounds just to pick up Christmas trees, Gord Helm, HRM manager of solid waste resources, said.

“We bring them to a special lot and we chip them up and then we introduce them, as we need them, into the composting program because it’s a bulking agent which helps the compost. Or we transfer to landscaping companies,” he said.

Most municipalities recycle trees in similar ways, but there are some alternatives if people would like to reduce their carbon footprint even farther.

The Department of Natural Resources promotes recycling trees in a homegrown way.

Tim Whynott, a forester with the department, said the most common way to get rid of the tree is to use the branches to cover up shrubs and flowerbeds.

But, he said, your tree could also be turned into a bird feeder.

“You just basically make a hole in the ground and plop them in the ground far enough so they will stand up in the wind. Take a few branches off the bottom so it’s not a place for cats to hide and attack the birds,” Whynott said.

“You can hang a suet holder on it, you can put orange peels on it, you can put bread crumbs, if you’re so inclined,” he said.

For those who want to get rid of the tree right away, make sure all ornaments and tinsel are removed first — and don’t put it in a plastic bag.