Curbside pickup and charitable chipping: Options for Christmas tree recycling in Metro Vancouver

Christmas trees piled in Alliston, Ont. (CTV News/Rob Cooper)

During the first weeks of January, cities in Metro Vancouver offer several options for recycling Christmas trees, from putting them in the green bin, to curbside pickup, to chipping fundraisers that benefit local charities.

Here’s a list of what’s available in the region this year.

Green bin pick-up

All municipalities offer the option for people to dispose of their trees on regular pickup dates if they can chop up the conifers up and fit them in the bin. Most municipalities also allow residents to drop off their trees at city-run recycling stations free of charge.

Vancouver

There are no specific dates scheduled for pickup by municipal crews this year. Instead, residents are being told to put their trees out by 7 a.m. on Jan. 10, and that they will be taken away “through the month.”

Lions Club tree chipping events

Donations of cash or non-perishable food are accepted in exchange for the tree being chipped and composted.

When: Jan. 10 and Jan. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: King George Secondary School parking lot, Kitsilano Beach parking lot, Kerrisdale Ice Arena parking lot, and Trout Lake Community Centre parking lot

Mount Pleasant Tree Chip

Monetary donations will benefit the kids at Mount Pleasant Elementary School.

When: Jan. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Kingsgate Mall Upper East Side Parking Lot (370 East Broadway).

Surrey

Surrey Firefighters Annual Tree Chip

Donations go to the firefighters’ charitable society.

When: Jan. 3, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Guildford Mall. 105 Avenue & 150 Street

Burnaby

City crews will be doing curbside collection between Jan. 12 and Jan. 30.

Delta

Lions Clubs of Delta chipping event

Donations to the club will be distributed to various local charities.

When: Jan. 3 and Jan 4., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Sungod Arena Parking Lot, 7815 112 St. or Memorial Park in Ladner, 5010 47 Ave.

Maple Ridge

Ridge Meadows Search & Rescue Tree Chipping

This fundraiser benefits volunteer search and rescue crews, and tree pickup is available upon request.

When: Jan. 3 and 4, as well as Jan. 10 and 11, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Where: SAR Headquarters (23598 Jim Robson Way)

New Westminster

Tree chipping with donations to benefit the New Westminster Fire Charitable Society

When: Jan. 3 and Jan. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: New Westminster City Hall, 511 Royal Ave.

North Shore

Scout Christmas Tree Chip-up

There are several times and locations for chipping events with donations benefiting the scouts. A pickup option is also available.

West Vancouver

When: Jan. 3 and Jan. 4, as well as Jan. 10 and 11, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Park Royal North, west of London Drugs (at the tree lot)

North Vancouver

When: Jan. 3, 4, 10 and 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Chevron Gas Station in Edgemont VillageWhen: Jan. 3 and 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Grand Boulevard and 13th Street (Ray Perrault Park)

Tri-cities

Port Moody Fire Rescue Christmas Tree Chip

Funds raised to benefit the BC Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund, with a minimum donation of $5.

When: Jan. 3 and Jan. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Inlet Centre Fire Hall (150 Newport Dr.)

Port Coquitlam firefighters tree chipping

Funds will benefit the firefighters’ charitable society. All wood chips are used in city parks and on city trails.

When: Jan. 3 and Jan 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: #1 Fire Hall, 1725 Broadway St.