Tree recycling options

EDMONDS — Local Boy Scouts soon will be canvasing neighborhoods for annual tree recycling fundraisers.

Each troop organizes its service independently, though most offer curbside pick-up Jan. 2 for a suggested donation of $10 or more. Others offer drop-off locations, or both services.

Donations go a long way to helping Scouts attend camps, leadership classes and other outings.

“As a parent it is awesome, because camps are not always cheap,” said Mark Blanchard, a parent with Boy Scout Troop 312 of Edmonds.

Troop 312 offers drop-off services 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Jan. 2 and 3. This year the troop’s southern drop-off location is being moved to an empty lot at 9622 Edmonds Way, next to the Kwick N’ Kleen Carwash. The northern drop-off remains at the QFC parking lot at 196th Street SW and 76th Avenue W.

You can find the details of Troop 312’s event and many other Snohomish County troops at www.dryneedles.com.

Not all troops are listed on the interactive map, however.

In Arlington, Boy Scout Troop 29 will collect trees at Legion Park starting Dec. 31, and concluding at 2 p.m. Jan. 2. Curbside pickup in certain neighborhoods also will be offered Jan. 2.

Free tree recycling also is offered in Everett by Everett Community College and Cedar Grove.

Everett Community College will recycle trees free Jan. 4-29. Drop off trees between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at Parking Lot F on the campus at 2000 Tower St. The college turns the trees into woodchips that it then uses for campus flower beds and mulch projects.

Cedar Grove offers free Christmas tree recycling to Everett and Marysville city residents (one per household; additional trees are $5 each). Bring trees Dec. 28-Jan. 8 to the Everett composting facility, 3260 36th Place NE. A driver’s license or other ID showing your address is required.

For all the recycling programs, trees must be free of decorations, tinsel and other non-biodegradable materials. No flocked trees are accepted.