EVERETT — As the holiday season comes to an end, people across Snohomish County will need a way to get rid of the Christmas tree dropping needles all over their living room.
Thankfully, there are a few ways to get that done.
To dispose of your tree at home, people who have a compost or yard waste bin should ensure the tree is broken down to the point it will entirely fit inside the bin, said Chelsea Burns, who works with Rubatino Refuse Removal, the garbage collection company serving most areas of Everett. If put in a yard waste bin, the tree should not have any decorations like tinsel or ornaments still attached. As long as the bin’s lid closes, workers will pick it up with no additional charge.
Those who aren’t able to fit the entire tree into the bin, or don’t have a yard waste bin as part of their garbage collection service, can leave a tree out next to their garbage to be picked up for an $8.95 fee. Make sure those trees are still cut in a way where they could fit inside a bin, Burns said, as workers still need to use the trash can to load the tree into the garbage truck.
Waste Management, a solid waste company serving areas of south Snohomish County, recommends cutting trees into 4-foot sections and placing them in curbside compost bins.
For a less hands-on approach, look to a number of drop-off locations set to arrive in the county in the coming weeks. Local volunteers from Scouting America, the organization formerly known as Boy Scouts of America, will collect used Christmas trees in multiple locations across Snohomish County. (Donations to support the organization are recommended.)
Here are some of the places where people can drop off their trees:
Everett
• Scouts from Troop 19 will collect trees from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 10 at 2617 Cedar St.
• Scout Troop 18 will collect trees from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Thornton A. Sullivan Park, located at 11405 Silver Lake Rd. in Everett.
Lynnwood
• Troop 304 will accept drop-offs between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the intersection of 188th St. SW and 44th. Ave W in Lynnwood.
Monroe
• Troop 148 will accept drop-offs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday in the parking lot across the street from the north entrance to the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, located at 14405 179th Ave. SE in Monroe.
Mountlake Terrace
• Troop 60 will accept drop-offs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at 23000 Lakeview Drive in Mountlake Terrace.
South Snohomish County
• Troop 49 will accept drop-offs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday at two locations: The Alderwood Boys and Girls Club at 19719 24th Ave. W in Lynnwood, and at a Safeway located at 4301 212th St. SW in Mountlake Terrace.
• Troops 356 and 357 will accept tree drop-offs between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday at 3805 Maltby Rd. in Bothell.
In addition to the drop-off events, more Scout troops are offering pick-up services for trees throughout the first few weeks of the new year. A map showing where some of those services will be available, created by Bothell Troop 356, is online at tinyurl.com/mrmkp3z4. Troop 16 in Mukilteo will also pick up trees: tinyurl.com/3v57ekch.
The city of Marysville is also hosting a post-holiday recycling event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the Marysville Community Center, located at 1015 State Ave. Trees can be dropped off at the event, and will be chipped into mulch for use in city parks and trails.
Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.
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