Waste Connections, Scouts to collect old Christmas trees

That beautiful natural Christmas tree, cut fresh in the Northwest, will begin to lose some of its luster following the holidays.

Waste Connections Inc. will pick up trees with yard debris and organics or garbage collection.

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, ornaments and other artificial 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 5 feet or smaller next to an empty yard debris cart at no extra charge.

• Place a single tree in sections 5 feet or smaller 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.

Residents also can recycle Christmas trees of any size at the following businesses:

• Central Transfer and Recycling, 11034 N.E. 117th Ave., 360-256-8482.

• City Bark, 2419 N.E. Andresen Road, 360-253-8461.

• H&H Wood Recyclers, 8401 N.E. 117th Ave., 360-892-2805.

• McFarlane’s Bark, 8806 N.E. 117th Ave., 360-892-6125.

• Triangle Resources, 612 S.E. Union St., Camas, 360-834-7253.

• West Van Materials Center, 6601 N.W. Old Lower River Road, 360-737-1727.

The Boy Scouts of America will collect trees in many parts of Clark County on Jan. 4.

The service is free, but donations will be accepted. Scouts will distribute door hangers with pickup instructions and contact information in their designated areas prior to Jan. 4.

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

For more on holiday recycling, visit RecyclingDoneRight.com.