With this year’s Christmas over, it’s a matter of time before decorations get boxed up and the Christmas tree gets tossed.
When it comes time to dispose of their tree, Clark County residents have options.
Waste Connections Inc. will pick up natural trees with yard debris collection or regular garbage service. But, trees that are more than five feet tall need to be cut down into smaller pieces, regardless of whether they’re picked up with yard debris or as garbage. Flocked and artificial trees must be put with the garbage because they cannot be recycled.
To recycle a Christmas tree, yard debris customers can put small trees in their yard debris cart for free; set one tree cut into sections of five feet or shorter next to an empty yard debris cart at no extra charge. Customers can also place one tree single tree cut at five feet or less next to a full yard debris cart for an additional pick-up charge.
Customers without yard debris service can pay for an extra 32-gallon collection and put cut trees next to their garbage containers. Trees collected with garbage service will not be recycled.
Before putting the tree on the curb, be sure to strip it of all lights, tinsel, wire, ornaments and whatever non-tree material might be hanging from it.
“We encourage people to recycle their Christmas trees if possible,” Kim Harless, a solid waste operations specialist, said in a news release. “Recycling keeps those natural resources from being lost to the landfill, and the trees will be reused as mulch or fuel.”
Also, the Boy Scouts of America will collect trees for recycling in many parts of Battle Ground, Camas, Vancouver and Washougal early next month. At 8 a.m., Jan. 6, scouts will collect trees left in front of homes. A donation of $7 is suggested, but the service is free. Scout groups will distribute door hangers with contact information in their areas of work.
For $5 or less, residents also can recycle Christmas trees of any size at the following businesses:
- Central Transfer Recycling, $1, 11034 N.E. 117th Ave., 360-256-8482
- City Bark, $1, 2419 N.E. Andresen Road, 360-253-8461
- H&H Wood Recyclers, $1, 8401 N.E. 117th Ave., 360-892-2805
- McFarlane’s Bark, $3, 8806 N.E. 117th Ave., 360-892-6125
- Triangle Resources, $5, 612 S.E. Union St., Camas, 360-834-7253
- West Van Materials Center, $1, 6601 N.W. Old Lower River Road, 360-737-1727.
More information is available from Clark County Public Health at 360-397-8000, ext. 5957, or at recyclingA-Z.com.
