WINNIPEG - December 23, 2008 - Don’t throw your Christmas tree away after the holiday season – recycle it.  All you need to do is remove all your decorations and tree bags and drop it off at any of the nine Let’s Chip In Depots between December 27, 2008, and January 20, 2009.

Free wood chips available at all depots in early January (while quantities last).  Please bring your own container.

WINNIPEG - December 23, 2008 - The major snow plowing operation initiated Sunday night to improve road conditions is almost complete. Main routes are 100% complete, and the majority of Priority II roads - which are bus routes and collector streets - have been plowed. The remaining Priority II streets will be completed this evening.

The Major Snowfall Parking Ban was lifted at 6:01 am this morning. This Ban prohibits parking on any Snow Route between the hours of midnight and 6:00 am.

The City’s Snow Route Overnight Parking Ban remains in effect between 2:00 am and 6:00 am on streets designated as Snow Routes until March 1, 2009.

Sanding of all streets is ongoing to improve traction on the roadways and will continue around-the-clock.

Plowing of back lanes is 67% complete. This operation is expected to be complete by tomorrow, Christmas Eve.

Hauling activities will continue tonight to remove snow windrows on the boulevards, bridges and underpasses.

Plowing of sidewalks is in progress.

All public snow disposal sites are in operation.

Motorists are reminded to “drive to road conditions” and to use extreme caution when driving near any plowing or sanding equipment.

For up to date information about parking bans, citizens may call 775-SNOW (775-7669) or go to www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks for more information. Individuals may also sign-up online for the City of Winnipeg’s e-mail notification process regarding parking bans.

Plowing operations are undertaken in accordance with the City Council-approved Snow Cleaning and Ice Control Policy, which can be found online at www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/Snow_Clearing_Policy/default.asp .

WINNIPEG - December 23, 2008 - Due to a mechanical failure at the recycling facility where the City’s collected recyclables are processed, all recycling materials collected from residential locations will be transported and temporarily stockpiled at the Brady Road Landfill, effective immediately.

It is estimated that the equipment repair at the Material Recovery Facility will be completed by January 9, 2009 and at that time all recycling material that has been stored at the Brady Road Landfill will be trucked to the plant for processing.

An anticipated 1,500 tonnes of recycled material will be temporarily stockpiled while the equipment is being repaired.

This will have no impact on residential recycling and homeowners should continue to put out their blue box materials on the scheduled pick-up day.