Christmas Tree Recycling in Vancouver and Beyond
byWith people (hopefully) staying closer to home this season, and tree lots selling out of supply, there will be a great demand for Christmas tree recycling in Vancouver this year. While events like previous years cannot happen due to COVID restrictions, you can drop off your live, cut trees at one of these Lower Mainland locations for chipping, or leave them out for curbside pickup.
Christmas Tree Recycling in Vancouver January 2021
Remember to remove all the tinsel and decorations from your tree.
Surrey
Central City Tree Chip for Charity
Where: Central City Shopping Centre (East lot off King George Blvd)
When: Sunday, January 3, 2021 from 9:00am to 4:00pm
Details: Drop off your Christmas tree at Central City and the Surrey Central Lions Club will chip it! Minimum $5 donation per tree and proceeds go to the Surrey Food Bank.
Surrey Fire Fighters’ Annual Tree Chip
Where: Guildford Town Centre (105 Ave & 150 St)
When: Saturday, January 2, 2021 from 8:00am to 4:00pm
Details: Since 1988, the Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society has organized the Annual Tree Chip. This year, the tree chip will be held at Guildford Town Centre with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. Please note that you will not be allowed outside of your vehicle during the tree chip.
Trees are accepted with a small cash donation and the donor will receive a brochure about the charitable society and small token of their appreciation.
Langley
Township of Langley Christmas Tree Chipping
Where: Willowbrook Shopping Centre (19705 Fraser Hwy – Northwest Lot)
When: Saturday, January 2 & Sunday, January 3, 2021 9:30am to 3:30pm
Details: Tree chipping is by donation and benefits the Canadian Cancer Society.
Langley Senior Resources Society Tree Chip
Where: 20605 51B Avenue
When: Saturday, January 9, 2021 10:00am to 2:00pm
Details: Bring your Christmas tree for chipping and support seniors in your community. Meals to go will also be available for purchase.
Township of Langley Christmas Tree Chipping
Where: Walnut Grove Secondary (8919 Walnut Grove Drive)
When: Saturday, January 2, 9:30am to 3:30pm & Saturday, January 9, until 1:00pm
Details: Tree chipping is by donation. Please ensure your tree is easily accessible for minimal contact. Refundable bottles and cans will be accepted for recycling.
Tri-Cities
Port Moody Fire Rescue 2021 Christmas Tree Chip
Where: Inlet Centre Fire Hall (150 Newport Drive, Port Moody)
When: Saturday, January 2 & Sunday, January 4, 2021 9:00am to 4:00pm
Details: Help your local firefighters raise money for the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund while disposing of your Christmas tree. Members of Port Moody Firefighters Local 2399 are once again chipping trees.
Scouts francophone de Maillardville
Where: Canadian Tire Parking Lot, 1200 Seguin Drive
When: Saturday, January 9, 2021 9:00am to 3:00pm
Details: Hosted by Scouts francophones de Maillardville.
Friends of Mundy Park
Where: Mundy Park – Spani Pool Parking Lot (655 Hillcrest St)
When: Saturday, January 2 & Sunday, January 3, 2021 10:00am to 4:00pm
Details: Hosted by Friends of Mundy Park Heritage Society.
Kinsmen Club of Coquitlam
Where: Town Centre Park, Parking Lot A
When: Saturday, January 2 & Sunday, January 3, 2021 8:00am to 4:00pm
Details: Hosted by Kinsmen Club of Coquitlam.
Natural Christmas trees can also be disposed of in your Green Cart as long as the tree is cut in 1m lengths and is a maximum 10cm diameter and the Green Cart lid is completely closed. Whole or cut trees can also be disposed of at the Coquitlam Recycling and Waste Centre (formerly the Coquitlam Transfer Station) at 1200 United Blvd.
Port Coquitlam
Where: #1 Fire Hall, 1725 Broadway St, Port Coquitlam
When: January 9 & January 10, 2021 9:00am to 4:00pm
Details: $5 minimum donation to benefit the Port Coquitlam Fire Fighters Charitable Society. Firefighters donate their time for this event and all wood chips created are used in city parks and trails.
Pick-Up: Fill out the online form and leave your tree at the curb. The firefighters will come pick up your tree with a minimum $10 donation. Applications made after January 7th may not be able to be accommodated.
Vancouver
Mount Pleasant Tree Chip
Where: Kingsgate Mall (370 E Broadway)
When: Sunday, January 3, 2021 10:00am to 4:00pm
Details: Drop off your live trees and make a donation to the Mount Pleasant Elementary School PAC. Funds raised will go to Mt Pleasant Elementary School PAC for the Mobile Makers Space, a collaborative space for making, learning, exploring, sharing to support STEM activities in the school.
Christmas Tree Recycling at UBC Botanical Garden
Where: UBC Botanical Garden (6804 SW Marine Drive)
When: December 26, 2020 to January 10, 2021, 10:00am to 2:00pm
Details: A suggested minimum donation of $5 is appreciated. Proceeds directly support Thunderbird Elementary, a school with a high percentage of vulnerable students. Garden lessons, provided by SPEC (Society Promoting Environmental Conservation), provide students the opportunity to observe, learn and connect to their natural world through engaging hands-on activities in their school garden.
Due to COVID-19 and to comply with Provincial Health Officer orders, the Lion’s Club tree chipping events scheduled for January 2 and 3, 2021 are cancelled. Other options in the City of Vancouver include:
Curbside Collection: Properties that receive weekly City Green Bin service are eligible for curbside Christmas tree collection during the weekend of January 9 and 10, 2021. To ensure pickup, set your tree out before 7:00am on Saturday, January 9. To get your tree ready for curbside pick-up:
- Remove all lights, decorations, and tinsel
- 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)
Landfill Drop Off: Drop off your tree for free at the Vancouver South Transfer Station or Vancouver Landfill until January 31, 2021. Remove all lights and decorations beforehand.
Burnaby
Curbside Tree Collection: Residential Christmas tree collection will take place from January 4-22, 2021. All residential properties that receive weekly City collection services are eligible for the curbside tree collection service. Place your tree out for collection near the regular Green Bin collection point. Please ensure the tree is in an accessible location and can be easily seen from the street or lane. Small or cut up Christmas trees may be placed into the Green Bin. Please ensure the bin is loosely packed with a closed lid.
Christmas Tree Drop Off: Burnaby’s Eco-Centre (4855 Still Creek Drive) also accepts Christmas trees free of charge from Burnaby residents (proof of residency required).
Delta
North Delta Lions Club Tree Chip
Where: Ladner Memorial Park (5010 47 Ave) & Sungod Arena (7825 112 St)
When: Saturday, January 9 & Sunday, January 10 9:00am to 4:00pm
Details: Drive through Christmas tree chipping by donation, please remain in your vehicle.
New Westminster
New Westminster Firefighters Christmas Tree Chipping
Where: Canada Games Pool Parking Lot (65 E Sixth Ave)
When: Saturday, January 2 & Sunday, January 3, 2021 10:00am to 3:00pm
Details: Bring your trees to the annual tree chipping event by donation. In order to be COVID compliant, they will not be doing the usual BBQ or demos. Instead, this will be a drive-through event with the firefighters taking trees from vehicles. Contactless donation by card will be available.
North Vancouver
Upper Lonsdale Preschool Tree Chip
Where: DNV East Parking Lot (355 W Queens Road)
When: Saturday, January 2 & Sunday, January 3, 2021 10:00am to 4:00pm
Details: Bring your Christmas tree for chipping (by cash donation). You can also have your tree picked up, for a minimum $30 donation.
Montroyal Elementary School
Where: Montroyal Elementary School, 5310 Sonora Drive
When: Saturday, January 9, 2021 11:00am to 4:00pm
Details: Suggested donation of $5 cash. All funds raised will benefit the Grade 7 graduation activities and legacy gift. COVID preventative protocols will be in effect.
Maple Ridge
Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue Tree Chip
Where: RMSAR Headquarters (23598 Jim Robson Way)
When: January 2-3 & January 9-10, 2021 9:00am to 4:00pm
Know of any more? Please leave a comment below and I’ll add it to the list!
