If you were lucky enough to get a live tree for Christmas and are looking for ways to recycle it, a few Tri-City groups will take it for chipping this weekend.
And don’t forget to take off the decorations and tinsel before depositing the tree.
COQUITLAM
On Jan. 2 and 3, the Coquitlam Kinsmen and Friends of Mundy Park will host their annual tree chips — drive-thru style. The Kinsmen will be located in Park Lot A (in the Douglas College overflow lot) in Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. while the Friends will be outside Spani Pool (655 Hillcrest St.) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations will be accepted; the Kinsmen will also recycle bottles.
PORT MOODY
You can haul your Christmas tree to the Inlet Centre fire hall (150 Newport Dr.) for the Port Moody firefighters’ drive-thru. Run by IAFF local 2399 members, the event is on Jan. 2 and 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs a minimum $5 for a tree chip, of which the proceeds support the BC Professional Fire Fire Burn Fund (for tree pick-up, email burnfund2399@gmail.com). Coffee and hot chocolate will be served, and participants will have their vehicle vacuumed out.
As well, if you’re looking to get rid of your festive boxes, paper gift wrap, Styrofoam, packaging and plastic film, the city will have its yearly Centralized Recycling Day on Jan. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd., Port Moody). Ribbons and foil gift wrap are banned.
Meanwhile, the Port Coquitlam firefighters will have their tree chip on Jan. 9 and 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Firehall No. 1 (1725 Broadway St.). The minimum donation is $5, which benefits the Port Coquitlam Fire Fighters Charitable Society. Or, for a minimum $10 donation, the firefighters will come to your home to collect the tree; fill out the tree pick-up form on the city website: portcoquitlam.ca.
The wood chips made from the Christmas trees are scattered in city parks and on trails.
