Thurston County
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:     Dec. 19, 2006

Contact:       Michelle Andrews, Solid Waste Program education and outreach specialist,
357-2491 ext. 7676

Many ways to recycle Christmas trees

OLYMPIA -- Thurston County residents recycle approximately 90 tons of Christmas trees each year. This holiday season, keep the tradition alive by recycling your tree. Whether you leave the tree at the curb or self-haul it to a collection station, the tree will ultimately end up at the Waste and Recovery Center near Hawks Prairie. From there, the tree will be transported off-site and turned into compost or energy.

Before recycling your tree, remove all decorations. Flocked trees are acceptable. If your tree is over 6 feet, cut it in half before placing it at the curb. Apartment residents should check with property managers to find out tree locations, or use a drop-off site.

If you have a living tree, consider donating it to a city or non-profit group such as Wolf Haven. Even gently-used artificial trees can be “recycled” through Goodwill.

Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center will accept trees free Dec. 26 through

Jan. 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except Jan. 1, New Year’s Day). Limbs, boughs and greenery are accepted at yard waste rates ($35 per ton, $5 minimum fee). From I-5, take Exit 111, go north on Marvin Road , and turn right on Hogum Bay Road . The entrance is on the right.

Pacific Disposal curbside yard waste customers should place trees next to their container on their normal yard waste collection day/week. Curbside customers without yard waste service can place trees out with the garbage, but will be charged the garbage rate. For more information call (360) 923-0111.

Lacey residents should place trees at the curb by 8 a.m., Jan. 8.  Keep trees away from roadways and street corners, and at least five feet from garbage cans. For more information, call
(360) 491-3214.

Olympia garbage service customers should place trees at their normal garbage pick-up locations. Tuesday and Wednesday customers should have trees out by 6 a.m., Jan. 6.  Thursday and Friday customers should have trees out by 6 a.m., Jan. 13.  For more information call (360) 753-8386 or visit www.olympiawa.gov.

Rainier residents can place trees at the curb on their Tuesday or Friday garbage day, Dec. 29 to Jan. 19. For more information call (360) 446-2265. The Rainier Transfer Station, 13010 Rainier Acres Road, will accept trees free Dec. 29 through Jan. 27 during operating hours (Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

The Rochester Transfer Station at 16500 Sargent Road will accept trees free Dec. 26 through Jan. 30 during operating hours (Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). 

Tumwater residents should place trees out by 8 a.m., Jan. 8. Single-family households should place trees at the nearest street corner. For more information: (360) 754-4150.

Tenino residents may take trees to the corner of McClellan Street and Sussex Avenue , Dec. 25 to Jan. 9.  For more information (360) 264-2368

Yelm residents may place trees in a designated bin at Yelm City Park (State Route 507 and Mosman Avenue ) between Dec. 26 and Jan. 14. 

Bill McTurnal Enterprises ( 721 Kamilche Lane , Shelton ) will accept trees free during daylight hours, seven days a week until March 1, 2007. For more information: (360)280-2236.