Though the majority of Vancouver residents wait until sometime later in January to put away their Christmas tree, many others start thinking about stashing and recycling their tree shortly into the new year.
There are several options when it comes to disposing of a real Christmas tree.
Here is where to recycle your Christmas tree in Vancouver:
Lions Club chipping event
The annual event takes place Jan. 7 and Jan. 8 this year, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at several locations. Alongside Christmas trees, which must be stripped of lights, decorations, and tinsel, locals are welcome to bring cash and non-perishable food donations which will be distributed to local charities.
Note that artificial Christmas trees and trees sprayed with artificial foam or snow won't be accepted.
Locations:
- King George Secondary School parking lot
- Kitsilano Beach parking lot
- Kerrisdale Ice Arena parking lot
- Trout Lake Community Centre parking lot
Mount Pleasant chipping event
Get your Christmas tree chipped and support the students at Mount Pleasant Elementary School.
The event takes place Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kingsgate Mall and tree chippings are done by donation (cash and credit/debit card donations are accepted). All funds raised from the event will go towards equipment and experiences for Mount Pleasant elementary school students.
UBC Botanical Garden
Running now through Jan. 9, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the UBC Botanical Garden will chip dropped-off Christmas trees and use the mulch for the garden's pathways. Donations are also welcome.
This year, donations from the chipping event will go towards Britannia Community Elementary School located in the Grandview Woodland neighbourhood where students are currently fundraising to renovate their gardening space, including replacing three old and damaged garden beds, purchasing compost, and creating a pollinator-friendly habitat.
Simply drop off your tree at the UBC Botanical Garden, follow the signs and place your tree behind the orange posts. A suggested minimum donation is $5.
City of Vancouver curbside green waste collection
Those who can't make it to a tree chipping event and are registered with the city's City Green Bin service can leave their Christmas tree outside for curbside tree collection.
The tree collection weekend takes place on Jan. 14 and Jan. 15 in the north collection zones and on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 in the south collection zones.
How to set your tree out for pick-up:
- Lay the tree on its side
- Place it in the same location you set out your bins and be sure the tree is easily visible from the lane or street
- Leave the tree loose (no bags, string, or rope)
You can also cut your tree into small pieces, sized less than 50 cm in length and less than 10 cm in diameter, and place them in your green bin for regular pickup.
If you miss the collection date, you can drop it off at the Vancouver South Transfer Station or Vancouver Landfill until Jan. 31.
With files from Cameron Thomson
