Lots of waste is typically generated during the holiday season. Check the tips & contest below to reduce the amount of waste produced in your household over the holidays.
HO HO HOLD the Waste! Holiday Waste Reduction Contest 2025
Show us how you and your family reduce waste during the holiday season for a chance to win a great local prize pack!
Upcycling = the process of transforming waste or unwanted products into new items of higher value through creative reuse. Unlike recycling, which breaks down materials to be re-made, upcycling refashions items without destroying them.
Participants must post a photo or video on their Facebook page showcasing their upcycled holiday ornament.
The post must be set to 'public' so we can see it
Posts must include the hashtag #HoHoHoldTheWaste.
Entries must be on or before Dec. 21.
Prizes
Each winner will receive a prize pack ("gift basket") containing a variety of local goods and/or gift certificates.
Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
Claiming prizes
Winners will be contacted via Facebook and must respond within three business days to claim their prize.
Prizes must be claimed in person.
General conditions
By participating, entrants agree to the rules and decisions of the organizers.
The City of Thunder Bay/Thunder Bay Solid Waste & Recycling Services reserves the right to disqualify any entrant who violates the rules or engages in any conduct detrimental to the contest or any other entrant, in its sole discretion.
Scam awareness
Please be vigilant against fraud. At no point will you be asked to pay any fees or provide credit card information to enter the contest or claim your prize.
All official communication will come directly from the Thunder Bay Solid Waste & Recycling Services Facebook profile.
If you receive suspicious messages, please report them to us immediately.
Permission to use entries
By entering the contest, participants grant the City of Thunder Bay/Thunder Bay Solid Waste & Recycling Services permission to use their posts, photos, or videos for promotional purposes.
Release and Limitations of Liability
By participating, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the City of Thunder Bay/Thunder Bay Solid Waste & Recycling Services from any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the contest.
Privacy
Personal information collected from participants will only be used for the purpose of administering the contest and awarding prizes.
Christmas tree chipping program
Each year, the City of Thunder Bay offers a Christmas tree chipping program after Boxing Day, until Jan. 12.
Fresh-cut Christmas trees can be dropped off at several locations across the city to be chipped. The wood chips will be added to the compost pile at the City's landfill. In the spring, when the compost is mature, it is provided to residents free of charge to enrich flower gardens and lawns.
Christmas Tree Drop Locations
North
Brent Park (Balsam Street at Margaret Street)
County Park Tennis Courts (County Boulevard)
Grandview Arena (Madeline Street between Grandview Arena and Westminster United Church (not in arena parking lot)
John Jumbo Recreation Centre (Toivo Street)
Strathcona Golf Course
South
Delaney Arena (Legion Track Drive)
Kinsmen Northwood Centre (609 James St N)
Westfort Playing Field (off Neebing Avenue)
West Thunder Community Centre (915 S Edward St)
Residents should remove all ornaments and plastic tree wrap before dropping off trees at the collection site. Do not put trees out for curbside garbage/recycling collection.
Choosing the right tree
When preparing for the holiday season, you need to weigh the options of choosing a real or artificial Christmas tree.
Fresh-Cut
PROS:
Let’s face it - the FRAGRANCE!
Purchasing local trees supports local tree farmers
Natural trees can be recycled in the Christmas Tree Chipping Program
Did you know you can harvest one tree for free on Crown Land? (contact the MNR for info)
CONS:
A real, fresh-cut tree only lasts one season
Natural trees need water as they are flammable if allowed to dry out
Artifical
PROS:
Can be reused season after season
Come in a variety of colours and styles
Don’t need watering like fresh-cut trees
CONS:
No natural fragrance
Can be pricier than fresh-cut trees
Artificial trees have a higher carbon footprint than locally grown fresh-cut trees – but an artificial tree can be a responsible option if you use it for many years before it hits the landfill.
Eco-friendly gift wrap
During the holiday season, the average Canadian family sends 25-45% more waste to the landfill than at other times of the year. Much of this waste is gift wrap and wrapping supplies. Note that glittery, coloured, and metallic wrapping paper isn't recyclable. It is heavily saturated with dye and contains little fibre for recycling.
More and more people wrap gifts using recyclable/reusable/upcycled materials such as reusable gift bags, fabric bags, or brown kraft paper.
Holiday recycling tips
Use alternatives to traditional wrapping paper
Use kraft paper, newspaper, cloth or reusable gift bags to wrap your gifts. (Wrapping paper is not recyclable because of its high ink content.)
Recycle your christmas tree
Bring your natural Christmas tree to one of the many Christmas tree collection sites, where it will be chipped and then added to the compost pile at the City's landfill site.
Use reusable items when entertaining
Rather than disposable items, use reusable dishes, glassware, silverware and napkins.
Reduce your food waste
Plan meals to avoid overbuying during the festive season and freeze leftover cooked meats and vegetables to use another day.
Send your holiday cards electronically
Or, if you would rather send a paper card, use cards with less ink content rather than cards that are laminated, foil-stamped or that have metallic ink.
Contact Us
Search
Connect
City of Thunder Bay
500 Donald Street E. P.O. Box 800 Thunder Bay, ON P7C 5K4
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Show us how you and your family reduce waste during the holiday season for a chance to win a great local prize pack!
Connect
