Vancouver, Wash. – Thousands of Clark County residents soon will want to dispose of Christmas trees.

Waste Connections, Inc. will pick up trees with yard debris collection or regular garbage service. Trees taller than 5 feet must be cut into sections no longer than 5 feet, regardless of whether they will be collected with yard debris or garbage.

Before trees are put out, all lights, tinsel, wire, ornaments and other non-tree materials must be removed. Flocked and artificial trees must be put in the garbage; they cannot be recycled with yard debris.

To recycle trees, yard debris customers can:

• Place small trees in their yard debris cart at no extra charge.
• Place a single tree in sections of 5 feet or less next to an empty yard debris cart at no extra charge.
• Place a single tree in sections of 5 feet or less next to a full yard debris cart for an additional pick-up charge.

Customers without yard debris 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.

“We encourage people to recycle their Christmas trees if possible,” said Kim Harless, a Solid Waste Operations Specialist. “Recycling keeps those natural resources from being lost to the landfill, and the trees will be reused as mulch or fuel.” 

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

The Boy Scouts of America will collect trees for recycling in many areas of Battle Ground, Camas, Vancouver and Washougal. The service is free, but donations will be accepted. Suggested donation is $7. Scouting units will distribute door hangers with contact information in their designated areas. 

For more information on holiday recycling, call Clark County Public Health at 360.397.2121 ext. 4352 or visit recyclingA-Z.com.

###

CONTACT
Kim Harless
Public Health
360.397.8000 ext. 5957
kim.harless@clark.wa.gov