Submitted by Thurston County Solid Waste
Go green this holiday with tips for gifts, parties, decorations
All across America, people typically throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than usual. All of the food waste, shopping bags, packaging, wrappings, trees and decorations quickly turn into tons of waste after the holiday season.
This year, go green for the holidays with waste free tips from Thurston County Solid Waste. Go to www.ThurstonSolidWaste.org and click on “Waste Free Holidays” for creative ideas for garbage-free gifts, party tips that reduce the trash, and thoughtful wrapping and decorations you don’t have to throw away.
When the holidays are over, think twice about what is actually trash. Our database at www.WhereDoITakeMy.org lists locations to take hard-to-recycle things like styrofoam, as well as where to take items for reuse. And don’t forget www.2good2toss.com to see or give away used items.
When it is time to take the Christmas tree down, don’t trash it—recycle it! Thurston County residents can get their tree picked up for recycling, or drop it off at several locations:
Free Christmas Tree Recycling Pick-up:
- LeMay compost and yard waste customers: Cut trees into three-foot sections and place them in or near your compost cart on your regular collection day. Call (360) 923-0111 for more information.
- City of Olympia garbage customers: Place your tree in your regular pick-up spot by 6 a.m. on the following collection days. Call (360) 753-8368 for more information.
- Thursday and Friday customers—tree pick-up is Saturday, Jan. 5
- Tuesday and Wednesday customers—tree pick-up is Saturday, Jan. 12
- City of Lacey residents: City crews will pick up trees. Place your tree at the curb by 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 7.
- Local Boy Scout troops will also offer donation-based pick-up service in some neighborhoods on Saturday, Jan. 5. Call (360) 491-3214 for more information.
- City of Tumwater residents: Place your tree at the nearest street corner by 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 7. Call (360) 754-4150 for more information.
Christmas Tree Drop-off Locations:
- All Thurston County residents: Take your tree to the Waste and Recovery Center at 2418 Hogum Bay Road NE in Lacey between Dec. 26 and Jan. 13 (closed Jan. 1), Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Rainier: Take your tree to the drop box at 13010 Rainier Acres Road, Dec. 26 – Jan. 12, Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Rochester: Take your tree to the drop box at 16500 Sargent Road, Dec. 26 – Jan. 13, Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tenino residents: Take your tree to 418 Wichman St S, Dec. 25 – Jan. 15.
- Yelm: Take trees to Yelm City Park anytime, Dec. 26 – Jan. 10.
- Shelton: Take your tree to Bill McTurnal Enterprises at 721 Kamilche Lane from Dec. 28 – Jan. 9 during daylight hours. On weekends, leave trees by closed gate.
Flocked trees are accepted. Please remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, stands, and nails from trees prior to recycling. Multi-family complex residents should check with their property manager for tree placement locations.
