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How to recycle your Christmas leftovers

FILE: A Christmas gift. The Canadian Press Images

CALGARY- Boxing Day is in full swing, which means its time to clean up that festive mess left over from the Christmas fun.

The City of Calgary has recycling options in place for Christmas trees, wrapping paper, even electronics.

The Christmas Tree Recycling Program sees crews pick up trees from homes that already have black cart garbage collection. Simply place your tree on the ground near your black cart by 7 a.m. on January 9, and it will be picked up.

“Last year we kept approximately 36,000 trees out of the landfill,” says Darcy Cairns, superintendent of programs for Waste & Recycling Services. “We collect trees from homes and there are also eight drop-off locations, so it’s really easy for people to participate.”

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Those drop-off locations are open from December 26 to January 31.

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Eight tree drop-off locations will also be open from December 26 to January 31:

Homeowners are asked to ensure their trees are not blocking streets, lanes or sidewalks. Also, make sure everything is removed from the tree, and it is not bagged or tied.

Trees are then turned into mulch, that Calgarians can use for gardening and landscaping.

Many homes will also be littered with wrapping paper once the kids are finished tearing through their gifts, and it can all go in blue carts for pickup.

“Wrapping paper, for instance, can be crumpled together in a ball and placed loose – not bagged – into the cart,” says Cairns.

Cards, gift bags and cardboard boxes can also be recycled by placing them loose in the cart. Ribbons, bows, and gift bag handles should be removed and reused or thrown away.

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Finally, a lot of people will be finding new electronics under the tree this year, which means old ones will need to be disposed of. Calgarians are asked to recycle them, instead of throwing them away. There are 30 electronics recycling depots throughout the city that accept material at no charge, including all three city landfills.

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