Clean North is collecting more than trees in the Sault this year

An environmental awareness group in Sault Ste. Marie is keeping a green holiday tradition alive. Clean North has been collecting Christmas trees for more than two decades. This year, the group is accepting donations for other local agencies as well.

The scent of evergreens fills the air at the Cambrian Mall parking lot on Great Northern Road, as the pile of trees continues to grow. Clean North will be at the lot until Jan. 14.

“Clean North’s been doing this for probably 25 years,” said volunteer Donald McGorman.

“All the Christmas trees, if people want to get rid of them at no cost, they can bring them here to the Cambrian Mall parking lot.”

Once the trees are collected, they’ll be fed through a wood chipper and converted into mulch, which will be held until the spring, when it will be distributed to those who want it.

“It’s very popular with gardeners because it’s a good ground cover, it decomposes, some people mix it right into their compost,” McGorman said.

People can drop off their trees anytime, day or night. For those who need help offloading their tree, Clean North will have volunteers on site from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 7.

Clean North is partnering with Just Junk to have trees picked up at people’s homes free of charge. They’re asking those who want their trees picked up to call Just Junk to set up a time.

Clean North is also accepting books, magazines, DVDs and CDs for the Friends of the Library Bookstore, as well as blankets and towels for the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society.