Hundreds of used Airdrie Christmas trees got a new life yesterday (January 20) when they were chipped into mulch to be used on city parks pathways.

Mayor Peter Brown along with councillors Darrell Belyk, Al Jones and Tina Petrow were on hand when FortisAlberta and Arbor-Tech Utility Services donated their equipment and time to chip the trees.

As the machines roared in the background, Tracy Pagenhardt, the Program Coordinator for Airdrie Waste and Recycling said anytime the city has a good resource that can be composted and reused they'll try to do that.

"We always try to go for that.  We don't want them going into the landfill.  It's a nice service for residents to be able to contribute to the parks and the paths where the chips go and to make sure the trees are going to the right place."

Pagenhardt says they don't keep track of the number of trees that are brought for recycling, but she thinks it was definitely more than last year.  "We don't have an exact number but I think it's definitely more than last year.  It's hard to tell but it's definitely in the hundreds."

The Christmas tree recycling program is just one part of keeping Airdrie a greener city.  Pagenhardt says it's all part of educating residents.

"Anytime that we can get out into the public and educate folks about different programs we have, or even just getting people out to the depot to see what kinds programs we have.  It's nice for folks to come here and find out about the things they may not know about."

Pagenhardt feels, when it comes to recycling, it's all about education and behaviour change. 

Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com