Scroll down this page for local Thurston County, Washington State recycling and responsible disposal options for holiday waste, from Christmas trees and wreathes, to lights, ornaments, wrapping and packaging. Many towns and cities offer curbside collection, even for Christmas trees. Counties and unicorporated areas typically have a number or drop-off locations.
Christmas trees are usually colllected from December 26th through
the first 2 or 3 weeks in January. Whether your tree is picked up from
your curb,
or you drop it off, be sure to remove all
remove all lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments, nails, stands, other
NON-Organic decorative materials and other materials that are not part
of the original tree. This includes tree stands also. Flocked trees are
occasionally accepted (call to verify), but not artificial trees. Large trees (larger
than the standard 6 - 7 ft tree) may need to be cut in half to
be acceptable by your
curbside garbage hauler.
The trees and wreathes are usually chipped and made into a mulch
which is often made available, free to city or county residents.
Recycling other items:
Always follow the links (usually the blue, underlined name of the city or county) below for updated information, as these agencies often wait until the last minute to change dates or update their information.
If your area is not specifically mentioned below, call your trash collection
agency and ask!
Thurston County, Washington State: Where and How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays in December 2025 through January 2026
- Thurston County, WA - Questions? Call (360) 867-2491.
or email
thurstonsolidwaste@co.thurston.wa.us. Residents can have their Christmas Tree Recycled after the holiday season, free Christmas tree collection and drop-off opportunities are available county-wide. To prepare your tree for recycling, please remove all
ornaments, lights, stands, nails, and tinsel prior to drop-off. Flocked trees are accepted.
Drop-off: Trees are accepted at the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center
(WARC)
Waste and Recovery Center (Lacey): December 26 to mid-January
Rainier: December 26 to mid-January
Rochester: December 26 to mid-January
Tenino: December 26 to mid-January
Yelm: December 26 to mid-January
(closed January 1). The WARC is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
and Saturday-Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Addresses:
Thurston County Waste & Recovery Center
2420
Hogum Bay Rd NE, Lacey, WA 98516
Phone: (360) 786-5494.
Rainier Drop-Box Facility
13010 Rainier Acres Road Southeast, Rainier,
Washington, United States 360-867-2491
Rochester Drop-Box Facility
16500, Sargent Road Southwest, Rochester, Thurston County,
Washington, 98579, United States 360-867-2491
Yelm Christmas Tree Drop-Off
124 3rd Avenue Southeast, Yelm, Washington, United States
360-458-8406
Tenino Christmas Tree Drop-Off
418 Wichman Street South, Tenino, Washington, United States (360) 264-2368
- City of Lacey residents: Local Boy Scouts will pick up trees within city limits.
BSA Troop 222 Scouts will provide curbside pick-up of holiday trees on the second Saturday in January
(January 7, 2023) for residents within Lacey city limits. Troop 222 accepts donations for this great community service, and can be made online
at BSA Troop 222, PO Box 5379, Lacey 98509. Trees
must have all decorations removed and be placed curbside in front of homes by 8:00 a.m. Troop 222 accepts donations for this great community
service, which can be made online at Troop 222, or BSA Troop 222, PO Box 5379, Lacey, WA 98509. For
more information contact Lacey Public Affairs, 360-491-3214 or email publicaffairs@ci.lacey.wa.us
.
- City of Olympia garbage customers: For customers with
Tuesday/Wednesday service, tree pickup will be in the first week of
January
For Thursday/Friday service, pickup will be in mid-January,
Place tree in regular pickup spot by 6:00 a.m. Trees over 6 feet
must be cut in half. Call City of Olympia at 360-754-8340 for more information.
- City of Tumwater Residents may place undecorated trees behind the curb near their closest main intersection beginning January 10. Please
be sure to keep sidewalks, bike lanes, and roadways clear when dropping off trees. It may take several days for crews to pick up all trees. For
more information, please contact Tumwater Public Works Operations at 360-754-4150.
Multi-family complex residents: Check with your property
manager for tree placement locations.
- City of Tenino residents can take trees to 418 S. Wichman St from December 26 to mid-January
- City of Yelm residents can place trees in designated dumpster at Yelm City Park anytime from December 26 through mid-January or until full.
- LeMay yard/food waste customers: Place your tree in or near your yard/food waste cart (in sections 3 feet or less). Extra
fee(s) apply for customers not signed up for yard/food waste collection. Call LeMay at 360-923-0111 for information.
- Thurston County Rochester and Rainier have Drop-Box Facilities for trees
- Rainier residents: Take trees for free to the Rainier Drop-Box Facility at 13010 Rainier Acres Rd. from December 26 to mid-January (open Friday - Sunday only, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed January 1.).
- Rochester residents: Take trees for free to the Rochester Drop-Box Facility at 16500 Sargent Road from December 26 to mid-January (open Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday only, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
-
All other areas of the state (just enter your zip code on the page that comes up)
Reference
