Christmas Tree Pickup (City of Toronto)

News Release 

December 23, 2010

Holiday collection and Christmas tree pickup

Toronto residents receiving Friday collection will continue to receive regularly scheduled garbage, recycling and organics collection during the holidays (this applies to collection on both Friday, December 24 and December 31). 

Residents receiving curbside collection are reminded that they may set out any unwanted electronics (E-waste) at the curb on scheduled garbage collection days. Items that are eligible for pick-up include computers, radios, TVs, VCRs, DVD players and smaller items such as cell phones, cameras, MP3 players and computer cables. Set small unwanted electronics out in the recyclable plastic E-waste bag the City included in the 2010/2011 collection calendar or in an open cardboard box. Place large items beside the Garbage Bin. Protect your privacy - clear all personal data from computers, cell phones and electronics prior to disposal. All batteries should be removed and disposed of at a Household Hazardous Waste depot. 

In 2010, Toronto also expanded its waste diversion collection services for multi-residential buildings to include E-waste. Some buildings have ordered free E-boxes to place in common areas. Residents can bring their electronic items to this centralized location, and building management will arrange for free City pickup. Other buildings have provided free E-waste bags to residents. Residents should check with their Superintendent or building management to see how the building is handling E-waste. 

For a complete list of eligible electronic items and proper set out instructions, visit WeWantIt.ca(http://www.toronto.ca/recycling) or call 311.

Natural Christmas trees will be collected in January on residents’ scheduled garbage collection day. Residents can check their collection calendars for their collection day. Tree bags, tinsel, ornaments, nails, tree skirts, stands, etc., must be removed before placing the tree at the curb. The City will not collect Christmas trees set out in plastic bags or tree bags. Trees should be clear of snow and ice and easily accessible. 

The 100,000 Christmas trees collected annually are shredded and made into finished compost. Christmas trees diverted from landfill each year help toward achieving Toronto’s goal of 70 per cent diversion.

To prevent damage to Blue, Garbage and Green Bins and for winter safety reasons, residents are asked to ensure bins don't interfere with snow plows that need to clear both roads and sidewalks. Place collection bins at the foot of the driveway, if you have one. Or shovel out a clearly visible, accessible spot for collection bins. Do not put bins behind or on top of snow banks, on the sidewalk or road.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.