O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how droopy are thy branches! Your needles dry and fall about. How quickly can we get you out? O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you’re even bald in patches.
If your natural Christmas tree is getting drier by the minute, it’s time for recycling. Here’s how to ensure your tree is collected and given a second, useful life as mulch.
Remove lights, tinsel, wire, ornaments and stands. (Flocked trees can’t be recycled and should be placed in the regular garbage.)
Cut tall trees into 5-foot chunks. Place trees or tree pieces inside, or next to, yard debris carts or organic waste receptacles to await collection by Waste Connections. There’s a fee if the yard debris or organics cart is already full; visit wcnorthwest.com/residential-rates to see fees for your area. Trees can also be recycled for about $5 at these locations:
- Central Transfer and Recycling, 11034 N.E. 117th Ave., Vancouver, 360-256-8482.
- City Bark, 2419 N.E. Andresen Road, Vancouver, 360-253-8461.
- H&H Wood Recyclers, 8401 N.E. 117th Ave., Vancouver, 360-892-2805.
- McFarlane’s Bark, 8806 N.E. 117th Ave., Vancouver, 360-892-6125.
- Triangle Resources, 612 S.E. Union St., Camas, 360-834-7253.
- West Van Materials Recovery Center, 6601 N.W. Old Lower River Road, Vancouver, 360-737-1727.
For homes without yard debris or organics service, put cut trees next to garbage and pay for an extra 32-gallon collection, though those trees aren’t recycled.
Boy Scouts of America will collect trees for recycling for free (though donations are welcome). Flyers will be distributed in neighborhoods where pickup is available; get a list at scouttreerecycling.com.
Artificial trees can’t be recycled. Instead, donate them to thrift stores or buy-nothing groups.
To see recycling options for other holiday waste — such as lights, wrapping paper, boxes, Styrofoam, bubble wrap and batteries — visit clarkgreenneighbors.org or clark.wa.gov/public-health/recycling-z.
