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 placed in the garbage.

Waste Connections will pick up trees with yard debris collection or regular garbage service available in most parts of the county. In Vancouver city limits, the yard debris service is now called organics service. 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 or organics 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 charge

Customers who do not have 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.

“Recycling Christmas trees can provide a second service when they are chipped into mulch,” said Tina Kendall, environmental outreach specialist. “Instead of going to waste in a landfill, the tree’s nutrients are returned to the soil when used in gardens.” 

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 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 Clark County on Saturday, Jan. 4. 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 prior to Jan. 4. 

For more information on holiday recycling, visit RecyclingDoneRight.com. 

CONTACT
Marissa Armstrong
Communications specialist
Public Health
564.397.7307
marissa.armstrong@clark.wa.gov