Dispose of Christmas trees the green way

Clark County residents will have multiple environmentally sound means of disposing of Christmas trees once the season ends, keeping trees out of landfills, Clark County Public Health is reminding residents.

Waste Connections will pick up trees as part of the yard-debris collection or regular garbage services available in most parts of the county.

Trees taller than 5 feet need to be cut into sections no longer than 5 feet and placed in the yard debris bin, or next to an empty bin, for recycling with no extra charge for Waste Connections customers with yard debris service. Customers can also place the trees next to a full bin for an additional pickup charge.

Instead of going in landfills, the recycled trees are used as mulch or fuel, according to the public health department.

Waste Connections customers without yard debris service can put cut trees next to their garbage containers and pay an extra 32-gallon collection fee. Trees collected with garbage will be sent to the landfill and won’t be recycled. The trees need to be cut down whether they’re going with the yard debris or garbage.

Either way, all lights, tinsel, wire, ornaments and stands must be removed from trees before disposal. Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in the garbage.

For $5 or less, residents also can recycle Christmas trees of any size at the following locations:

• Central Transfer and Recycling, 11034 N.E. 117th Ave., 360-256-8482

• City Bark, 2419 N.E. Andresen Road, 360-253-8461

• H&H Wood Recyclers, 8401 N.E. 117th Ave., 360-892-2805

• McFarlane’s Bark, 8806 N.E. 117th Ave., 360-892-6125

• Triangle Resources, 612 S.E. Union St., Camas, 360-834-7253

• West Van Materials Center, 6601 N.W. Old Lower River Road, 360-737-1727

Find more information on holiday recycling at RecyclingA-Z.com.