Pine tree needles up close

Recycle your Christmas tree and give it a second life!

January 5 2026 –

Vancouver residents can once again recycle their live, cut Christmas tree and help turn it into nutrient-rich compost. Here are four easy and free ways to recycle your tree: 

  • Bring it to a Lions Club chipping event 
  • Drop it off at the Transfer Station or Vancouver Landfill 
  • Set it out for curbside collection
  • Cut it into small pieces and place in your green bin

Before recycling, please remove all lights, decorations, and tinsel. Artificial trees or trees sprayed with artificial snow or foam are not accepted.

Lions Club tree chipping events 

Donations of cash and non-perishable food items are welcome and will be distributed to local charities. Events are Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11, 2026, 10 am to 4 pm in the parking lots at: 

  • King George Secondary School 
  • Kitsilano Beach 
  • Kerrisdale Ice Arena (north parking lot)
  • Trout Lake Community Centre 

Free drop-off at Transfer Station or Landfill until January 31

Trees can be dropped off for free until January 31 at these locations: 

Curbside collection 

Households with City green bin service can set out their tree and any extra leaves by 7 am on Saturday, January 10 for pickup. Tree collection will continue through to the end of January.

To prepare the tree for curbside pickup:

  • Remove all lights, decorations, and tinsel
  • Lay the tree on its side
  • Place it where you normally set out your garbage and green bins, ensuring it is visible from the street or lane  
  • Keep the tree loose — no bags, rope or string

If you miss the dates above, you can also cut your tree into pieces that will easily fit in your green bin. Pieces should be less than 50 cm (18 in) in length and less than 10 cm (4 in) in diameter and the lid of the green bin must close completely. 

Please remember that green bin collection switches from weekly to biweekly (every other week) during January and February.

Make a greener Vancouver

All collected Christmas trees and leaves are turned into nutrient-rich compost at the Vancouver Landfill. The finished compost is sold to residential gardeners, landscapers and parks departments. 

Learn more about your Christmas tree recycling options on vancouver.ca.