Vancouver, Wash. – After the holiday festivities end, Clark County Public Health urges residents to recycle their Christmas trees, rather than sending them to the landfill.

Before trees are recycled, all lights, tinsel, wire, ornaments and stands must be removed. Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in the garbage.

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

To recycle trees, Waste Connections customers with yard debris service can:

Place trees smaller than 5 feet in the yard debris cart at no extra charge
Place a single tree, cut into sections of 5 feet or less, next to an empty yard debris cart at no extra charge
Place a single tree, cut into sections of 5 feet or less, next to a full yard debris cart for an additional pick-up charge

Customers who do not have 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 and won’t be recycled.

“Recycling Christmas trees keeps those natural resources from being lost to the landfill,” said Jill Krumlauf, environmental outreach specialist. “Instead of going to waste, 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 locations:

• Central Transfer and Recycling, 11034 NE 117th Ave., 360.256.8482
• City Bark, 2419 NE Andresen Road, 360.253.8461
• H&H Wood Recyclers, 8401 NE 117th Ave., 360.892.2805
• McFarlane's Bark, 8806 NE 117th Ave., 360.892.6125
• Triangle Resources, 612 SE Union St., Camas, 360.834.7253
• West Van Materials Center, 6601 NW 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. Beginning at 8 am Saturday, Jan. 5, scouts will pick up trees left in front of homes. The service is free, but donations will be accepted. Scout units will distribute door hangers with pick-up instructions and contact information in their designated areas. 

For more information on holiday recycling, visit RecyclingA-Z.com.

CONTACT
Jill Krumlauf
Environmental outreach specialist
Public Health
564.397.7342
jill.krumlauf@clark.wa.gov