Recycle your Christmas tree

Penny makes herself at home under the tree

If, like mine, your Christmas tree is looking a little worse for wear (why do cats try to climb them when they never attempt tree-climbing outdoors?), it's time to get rid of it.

Many cities allow you to put your tree, divested of trimmings, at the curb for recycling. Greater Vancouver has had a curbside yard waste collection program in place since 2001. Yard trimmings are collected bi-weekly and composted at the Vancouver Landfill. Once a year, Vancouver residents can pick up all the compost they can haul away - free! The rest of the year, it's $10/yard.

There are alternatives to curbside recycling of trees: most cities operate chipping stations in January. Check with your municipality for locations. In Vancouver, call the Recycling Hotline at 604-732-9253.

I've also heard that many zoos offer free chipping; they use the mulch for bedding for many of their animals.