Christmas tree pickup is once again being provided by members of the Penticton Fire Department to raise money for a good cause.
Firefighters are carrying on the tradition of raising money for two charitable organizations: Muscular Dystrophy and the British Columbia Professional Firefighters Burn Fund.
Penticton residents are encouraged to call the Penticton Fire Department to arrange for their Christmas trees to be picked up by firefighters during their off time. A donation to Muscular Dystrophy and/or B.C. Professional Firefighters Burn Fund is appreciated for the service. The trees are chipped then taken to the Campbell Mountain Landfill for the composting program.
To arrange for a pickup call 250-490-2315, or residents can drop off their trees for chipping at Fire Hall No. 2, located at 285 Dawson Ave. The Christmas tree pickup service will operate until Jan. 18.
As well, across the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen there are numerous locations to drop off Christmas trees. Residents are asked to remove all tinsel, fake snow and ornaments as trees collected will be chipped and given new life as animal bedding or compost.
In Summerland, residents can call the fire hall at 250-494-7211 ext. 3 to request collection of their trees. Students from Summerland Secondary will be out collecting trees on Jan. 8 and Jan. 15, with donations for the service going to the Summerland Secondary Dry Grad.
Oliver residents can drop off Christmas trees at the south gate of the Oliver Public Works Yards at 34765 91st St. Collection of trees is being conducted by the local Air Cadets and the service runs until Jan. 6.
Osoyoos residents can drop off trees adjacent to the washroom at Kinsmen Park (on boulevard) or at the northwest corner of the parking lot below the Sun Bowl Arena sign until Jan. 13.
The Naramata Citizens Association will be collecting Christmas trees on Jan. 17. Clean Christmas trees placed out with residents’ regular garbage will be collected by volunteers. Cotter’s Bin Rentals is assisting in this year’s collection.
All landfills in the RDOS will also accept clean wooden Christmas trees for free. The RDOS does not recommend burning Christmas trees as they are too moist to burn cleanly, and any tinsel, fake snow or ornaments left on the tree will create added pollution.