Pine tree needles up close

How to recycle your Christmas tree

January 2 2025 –

Recycle your live, cut Christmas tree this holiday season and turn it into nutrient-rich compost. Here are four free options for Vancouver residents:  

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

To prepare your tree for recycling, 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.

When: Saturday January 4 and Sunday January 5, 2025
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Where: Parking lots at: 

  • King George Secondary School 
  • Kitsilano Beach 
  • Magee Secondary School 
  • Trout Lake Community Centre 

Green bin 

Cut your tree into pieces that will 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. 

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

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

Curbside collection 

Households with City green bin service can set out their live cut tree and extra leaves for collection by 7 am on Saturday, January 11. Christmas tree collection will take place throughout the month and be completed by January 31, 2025.

To prepare the tree for curbside pickup:

  • Remove all lights, ornaments and decorations
  • Lay the tree on its side
  • Place tree in the same spot where you normally set out your bins (be sure it is visible from the lane or street)
  • Leave the tree loose (no bag, string or rope)

Collected trees and leaves are turned into nutrient-rich compost at the Vancouver Landfill. This compost is then sold to residential gardeners, commercial landscapers and municipal parks departments. 

Learn more about Christmas tree recycling options