By Kathryn Millhorn
Ahh, the holidays – this time of year it feels as if every sparkling festivity is accompanied by a big dollop of excess. Extra expenses, calories, and even garbage all too often weigh us down. Even with financial—and physical—belts tightened, December can be overwhelming.
The Thurston County Solid Waste asks a vital question, “Did you know that Americans throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day? The added food waste, shopping bags, packaging, wrapping paper, bows and ribbons add up to an additional 1 million tons of waste each week. That’s a lot of garbage!”
But when the last ornaments are packed away and salvageable bows extricated from the shredded wrapping paper, your beloved holiday tree can easily be recycled for free.
Terri Thomas, Waste Reduction Supervisor for Thurston County Solid Waste, said that trees will be collected at multiple locations across the county. Whether it’s the Hawk’s Prairie Waste and Recovery Center at 2420 Hogum Bay Road NE in Lacey, or drop boxes in Rainier and Rochester, you can dispose of your tree beginning December 26.
If you live within the City of Lacey, local Boy Scout troops will again partner with LeMay/Pacific Disposal to pick up trees on Saturday, January 10. Unsure if you’re in their pick-up zone? Look for a door hanger to appear at your home with additional details.
Marvin Johnson, who coordinates tree recycling on behalf of local Scout troops 101, 222, 266, 718, and Pack 116, explains that “this is a fun activity for the boys. From the stapling of donation envelopes to the door knockers, to running up and down the streets hanging the door knockers on the doors, to picking up the trees and throwing them into the trucks and trailers, counting how many trees they collected and got on a load, how many they lost on the way to the drop off spot, drinking hot chocolate at the drop off spots, the excitement of finding ornaments left on the trees. It’s surprising what you find.”
“Every year we have an elderly couple that waits for the scouts to come by and then have them put their Christmas supplies back up in the top of their garage,” adds Johnson. “This is a service project as well for the scouts. We fully expect that there are trees put out without any donations sent in. That’s okay. The boys learn to serve the community that way, which is an important characteristic to learn.”
Residents of Shelton, Tenino, and Yelm can find drop-off locations on the map below. Shelton will take trees through January 9, Tenino through January 15, and Yelm through January 10.
For those unable to deliver their tree to a specified location, curbside pick-up is available in the greater Olympia, and Tumwater residential areas. For City of Olympia customers, pick-up is on Saturday, January 3 for Thursday or Friday regular pick-up homes and Saturday, January 10 for those with Tuesday or Wednesday regular service. Tumwater pick-up will be on Monday, January 5. Residents should place their trees at the nearest intersection no later than 7 a.m.
Information about the disposal of materials like packing peanuts, Styrofoam packaging, dead tree lights, bubble wrap, gift bows, tissue paper, gift bags, and other holiday detritus can be found on the Solid Waste Program’s Waste-free Holidays page.
The New Year is when we pack away the old and begin planning for the next great adventure. Why not make it a green on, no matter what the occasion?
