Christmas is done so it may be time to toss the tree, which is getting drier every day and posing a higher chance of catching fire.
Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue is making it easier to do that by holding its annual Christmas tree chipping fundraiser on two weekends early in January.
On Jan. 5, 6 and Jan. 12, 13, people can take their tree to search and rescue headquarters, beside Planet Ice, at 23598 Jim Robson Way, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Rescue volunteers will take your tree off your hands in return for a donation to help the society buy gear and save people who get lost in the woods. Donations also help the First Haney Rovers.
If you can’t get the tree down there, e-mail the scouts your name and address at: scoutchipping@gmail.com.
If you’re on post-Christmas cleanup duty, keep in mind that you can recycle some of that mountain of gift wrap and boxes left over from Christmas.
Paper gift wrap, (but not shiny or crinkly wrapping paper) can be put in your yellow Ridge Meadows Recycling curbside bag or taken to the recycling centre, just remember to remove all of the bows, ribbons or whatever elese may be stuck on it.
The society emphasizes that point on its Facebook page: “Reminder! Sort your holiday gift wrap! No ribbons and bows, only paper gift wrap accepted!”
The recycling depot will be closed New Year’s Day, and will close at 3 p.m. on Dec. 31.
Because of the holiday schedule this year, recycling pickup was cancelled on Christmas and New Year’s Day, which both fell on two Tuesdays in a row.
To make up for that, the recycling depot is having a special curbside pickup, for those residents only, this Saturday, Dec. 29, beginning at 7 a.m.
People can also take their recyclables down to the depot at 10092 – 236th St., which is open seven days a week, until 5 p.m., between October and March. The only two days the depot closes during the year is Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, although the depot closes at 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Residents who lost their recycling bags or boxes during Dec. 20’s windstorm can ask for another one by calling 604-463-5545 or by going online to the depot’s website.
