County dump collects Christmas trees
Published 11:58 am Thursday, February 21, 2008
The King County Solid Waste Division’s Tree-Cycling program allows residents to bring their Christmas trees to one of 12 convenient locations for free disposal and recycling.
King County offers this annual program because it helps residents to easily dispose of their Christmas trees at no cost and turns something that was once a waste into a resource. Trees that might otherwise be thrown in the garbage are reduced to wood chips and reused for landscaping. King County collects about 65,000 Christmas trees each year through the Tree-Cycling program.
Drop off your tree at the Shoreline location at Hamlin Park, 16006 15th NE. The drop-off sites will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 28-29, 2002, and Jan. 4-5, 2003.
The Tree-Cycling program applies to residential Christmas trees only. Trees must meet the following criteria to be accepted: no artificial, flocked or fire-proofed trees; all hooks, ornaments, tinsel and stands must be removed; the base must be four inches or less in diameter; trees over eight feet must be cut into four foot sections; and no more than three trees per car.
This year, residents who bring in Christmas trees for recycling can get free wood chips. The wood chips make great ground cover in gardens and flower beds.
The wood chips produced from Tree-Cycling will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Residents who wish to take home wood chips should come prepared with tools and containers, such as bags or a truck bed.
The King County Solid Waste Division’s partners in Tree-Cycling this year are Boeing, Bellevue Community College, the City of Shoreline, Highline School District, and King County Parks.
For more information about Tree-Cycling, call the King County Solid Waste Division at 206-296-4466, 711 (TTY) or visit the Web site at dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/.
