Tumwater, county to recycle Christmas trees

Thurston County and Tumwater are offering to recycle their residents’ Christmas trees for free.

The city’s website announced that Tumwater’s Transportation Operation crews would pick up trees placed along the curb near main intersections starting January 10.

“Please keep sidewalks, bike lanes, and roadways clear when dropping off trees,” said the city, adding,  “It is important you know it may take several days for crews to pick up all of the trees.”

Tumwater also asked its residents to do the following on their trees:

• Remove tree stands
• Remove all ornaments, decorations, lights, and tinsel
• Artificial trees will not be accepted

Questions can be addressed to the city’s Transportation Operations Department at (360) 754-4150.

Meanwhile, Thurston County has assigned the following locations as drop-off points for used trees until January 15:

• Waste And Recovery Center (WARC)
  • 2420 Hogum Bay Rd NE, Lacey 360-867-2491
• Rainier Drop-Box Facility
  • 13010 Rainier Acres Road Southeast, Rainier 360-867-2491
• Rochester Drop-Box Facility
  • 16500, Sargent Road Southwest, Rochester 360-867-2491
• Yelm Christmas Tree Drop-Off
  • 124 3rd Avenue Southeast, Yelm 360-458-8406
• Tenino Christmas Tree Drop-Off
  • 418 Wichman Street South, Tenino 360-264-2368

The county gave similar instructions on the trees, adding, “Flocked trees are accepted.”