Christmas tree recycling

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,Grinding Christmas trees into mulch 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 ofteny made available, free to city or county residents.

Ornaments and light strings are usually placed into your curbside collection bin.  Some localities have year-round collection centers. The same is true of wrapping paper and boxes.

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 January 2022 Curbside, Local Recycling and Disposal Options for Trees, Lights and Other Holiday Waste

  • Thurston County, WA - Questions? Call (360) 867-2491. 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) from Saturday, December 26, to Sunday, January 10, 2021 (closed Friday, 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.
    Thurston County Waste & Recovery Center
    2420 Hogum Bay Rd NE, Lacey, WA 98516
    Phone: (360) 786-5494.
  • City of Lacey residents: Local Boy Scouts will pick up trees within city limits on Saturday, January 2. Place trees curbside by 8:00 a.m. Donations are accepted online at www.troop222wa.org or by mail to P.O. Box 5379, Lacey, WA 98509 c/o Boy Scout Troop 222 Tree Roundup. Call Lacey Public Affairs at 360-491-3214 for more information.
  • City of Olympia customers can put trees in their yard waste cart in 3ft sections or smaller, or put them in the normal pickup spot on the following days (cut if longer than 6 ft):
    Tues/Wed garbage customers: Sat, January 9, 2021
    Thurs/Fri garbage customers: Sat, January 16, 2021
  • City of Tumwater residents can place trees at the nearest street corner (not blocking the street) by 7:00 a.m. on Monday, January 11, 2021
  • City of Tenino residents can take trees to 418 S. Wichman St from December 26 - January 17, 2021.
  • City of Yelm residents can place trees in designated dumpster at Yelm City Park anytime from December 26 through January 10, 2021 or until full.
  • LeMay curbside 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 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 - January 10, 2021 (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 - January 10, 2021 (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)


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