Looking for an inexpensive and easy way to clear out your Christmas tree?
There are plenty of local tree-chipping fundraisers where you can chip your tree in exchange for a donation to a good cause. Many of these fundraisers will also be collecting bottles, so you can also sort out all the recycling left over from the holiday season.
Please note that you need to remove any wires, decorations and tree stands before you take your tree to any fundraiser.
Clayton Heights Secondary
Support Clayton Heights Secondary students’ dry grad fundraiser, and bring your tree to the school parking lot to chip by donation.
Where: Clayton Heights Secondary, 7003 188 Street
When: Saturday, Jan. 5 and Sunday, Jan. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: By donation
Cloverdale Catholic School
Cloverdale Catholic School will be holding a tree chipping event again this year. They will have tree chipping for a suggested minimum donation of $10 and bottle recycling.
When: Saturday, Jan. 5, and Saturday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Cloverdale Catholic School, 17511 59 Avenue
Cost: $10
Fraser Heights Secondary
The school will be hosting a tree chipping and bottle drive, and all proceeds will go towards promoting a safe and memorable dry grad for its students. You may either drop your tree off at the school on Jan. 6, or, with a minimum donation of $20, arrange for curb pick-up by contacting Julie Rich at jgrace_rich@yahoo.ca.
Where: Fraser Heights Secondary School, 16060 108 Avenue
When: Sunday, Jan. 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: By donation
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary will host their annual tree chipping and bottle drive fundraiser this year, with all proceeds supporting the music department. This year, the funds will help the junior band fund their trip to California and the senior band fund their Alaskan Cruise.
Where: Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary, 6151 180 Street
When: Saturday, Jan. 5 and Sunday, Jan. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: By donation
North Surrey Secondary
North Surrey Secondary’s dry grad fundraiser will include tree chipping and bottle collection. Pick-up is also available by reaching out through the North Surrey Secondary Dry Grad 2019 Facebook page.
Where: North Surrey Secondary, 15945 96 Avenue
When: Saturday, Jan. 5, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: By donation
Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society
The Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society has organized an annual tree chip since 1988. More than 40 fire fighters volunteer at the event to remove trees from vehicles and toss them into the chipper. The service is available with a small cash donation, and the proceeds go towards one of the society’s charitable efforts.
Where: Newton Athletic Park, and Guildford Town Centre
When: Saturday, Jan. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: By donation
Central City Shopping Centre
Lions Club members will chip trees with all proceeds to Surrey Food Bank, in partnership with Bartlett Tree Experts for their tree-chipping services. Visit centralcity.ca for more information, or call 604-587-7773.
Where: East parking lot at Central City, off King George Blvd.
When: Sunday, Jan. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Minimum $5 donation per tree
Hunters Garden Centre
Donations collected at this event will benefit Jane Stock Horticulture Foundation, supporting horticulture education. For more details, call 604-590-2431 or visit huntersgardencentre.com.
Where: 15175 72nd Ave., Surrey
When: Saturday, Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: By donation
If none of these events fit your schedule, or you can’t make it out, natural trees can be placed curbside for pickup in Surrey, in a green organics cart.
“Before putting your tree in your organics bin, the tree must be cut up into pieces no bigger than three feet long,” explains a post at surrey.ca. “Remove all tinsel, lights, decorations, tree stands and plastic bags from Christmas trees prior to disposal.”
editor@cloverdalereporter.com
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