Here’s where Thurston County residents can recycle their Christmas trees
Residents have many drop-off and pick-up options for recycling their Christmas trees this winter, according to a list shared by Thurston County.
The county advises residents to prepare their trees for recycling by removing all ornaments, lights, stands, nails and tinsel. The county’s news release says flocked trees, which appear to be covered in snow, will be accepted. Here are the options the county recommends.
Pick-up information
City of Olympia residents: Garbage customers who are served on Tuesday or Wednesday can have their tree picked-up on Jan. 13. Pick-ups will occur on Jan. 20 for customers who are served on Thursday or Friday.
Residents are advised to place their trees in their regular garbage pick-up spot by 6 a.m. on those dates. Any tree larger than 6 feet tall must be cut in half. Residents with questions can call the City of Olympia at 360-754-8340.
City of Lacey residents: Trees can be picked up by the Boy Scouts of America Troop 222 Scouts. Residents are advised to remove all decorations from their trees and leave the trees on the curbside in front of their homes by 8 a.m. Jan. 6.
The troop is accepting donations for this service on its website, www.troop222wa.org, or by mail at BSA Troop 222, PO Box 5379, Lacey, WA, 98509. Residents can contact Lacey Public Affairs at 360-491-3214 or publicaffairs@ci.lacey.wa.us for more information.
City of Tumwater residents: Tumwater households should leave undecorated trees behind the curb near their closest main intersection starting Jan. 8. The news release says residents should keep sidewalks, bike lanes and roadways clear when doing so.
It may take several days for crews to pick up all trees. Residents with questions can call Tumwater Public Works at 360-754-4150.
LeMay food/yard waste customers: Customers should place trees near their food and yard waste cart. The trees should be cut into sections of 3 feet or shorter, according to the news release.
Customers may be charged extra for the pickup if they are not signed up for food and yard waste collection. More information is available from LeMay at 360-923-0111.
Multi-family complex residents: Ask your property manager about where to place your tree.
Drop-off locations
All Thurston County residents: Drop-off trees at the Waste and Recovery Center at 2420 Hogum Bay Road Northeast in Lacey from Dec. 26 to Jan. 21. The release notes that the center will be closed Jan. 1.
The center is open from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on weekends. Residents who arrive with additional waste will have to make two trips across the center’s scale, according to the news release.
Yelm residents: Leave trees in a designated dumpster at 124 Third St. SE from Dec. 26 to Jan 14.
Rochester residents: Bring trees to the Rochester Drop-box Facility at 16500 Sargent Road SW from Dec. 26 to Jan. 21. The facility will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Rainier residents: Drop-off trees at the Rainier Drop-box Facility at 13010 Rainier Acres Road SE from Dec. 29 to Jan. 21. The facility is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday.
Tenino residents: Bring trees to 418 Wichman St. S. from Dec. 26 to Jan. 14.
This story was originally published December 24, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
