When the holidays wind down and the decorations get packed away, it’s time to take down the Christmas tree. This season, residents can take advantage of various free tree collection and drop-off opportunities available throughout the county.
To prepare natural trees for recycling, people should remove all ornaments, lights, stands, nails and tinsel before drop-off. Flocked trees are accepted.
For all Thurston County residents, trees are accepted at the Waste and Recovery Center located at 2420 Hogum Bay Road NE in Lacey from Dec. 26 through Jan. 21 (closed Jan. 1). Hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Customers with other waste, in addition to a tree, should expect to make two trips across the scale.
Yelm residents can place trees in a designated dumpster at 124 Third St. SE anytime from Dec. 26 through Jan. 14.
Rainier residents can take trees to the Rainier drop-box facility at 13010 Rainier Acres Road SE from Dec. 29 through Jan. 21. Hours of operation from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday.
Tenino residents can take trees to 418 Wichman St. S. from Dec. 26 through Jan. 14.
