Clark County Public Health reminds residents to recycle their Christmas trees, rather than tossing them in the trash.
From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, holiday waste including Christmas trees accounts for a 20 to 25 percent increase in trash. Clark County is among the top counties in Washington for using cut trees.
Before trees can be recycled, all lights, tinsel, wire, ornaments and stands must be removed. Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and should be placed in the garbage.
Waste Connections customers with yard debris or organics service can place trees smaller than 5 feet in their yard debris or organics cart at no extra charge; place a single tree, cut into sections of 5 feet or less, next to an empty yard debris or organics cart at no extra charge; or place a single tree, cut into sections of 5 feet or less, next to a full yard debris cart for an additional fee.
Customers without yard debris or organics service can put cut trees next to their garbage containers and pay for an extra 32-gallon collection. Trees collected with garbage will be sent to the landfill and won’t be recycled.
Residents can also recycle Christmas trees of any size for a small fee (typically $5 or less) 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
Scouts BSA will collect trees for recycling in many areas of Clark County on Jan. 8. The service is free, but donations will be accepted. Scout units will be distributing door hangers with pickup instructions and contact information in their designated areas.
