Thurston County will host free tree collection and drop-off opportunities countywide as the holidays wind down.
To prepare a natural tree for recycling, tree owners are asked to remove all ornaments, lights, stands, nails and tinsel prior to dropping it off. Flocked trees are accepted. For more details, search “Christmas tree” in the online directory at WhereDoITakeMy.org.
All Thurston County residents can take their natural trees to the Waste and Recovery Center at 2420 Hogum Bay Road NE in Lacey from Dec. 26 to Jan. 15, except for Jan. 1. The center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Customers with other wastes in addition to a tree should expect to make two trips across the scale.
Yelm residents can place trees in a designated dumpster at 124 Third St. SE at any time from Dec. 26 to Jan. 15.
Rainier residents can take their trees to the Rainier Drop-Box Facility at 13010 Rainier Acres Road SE from Dec. 26 to Jan. 15. The facility is open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The facility is closed Sunday, Jan. 1.
Tenino residents can take their trees to 418 Wichman St. S from Dec. 26 to Jan. 15.
Rochester residents can take their trees to the Rochester Drop-Box Facility at 16500 Sargent Road SW from Dec. 26 to Jan. 15. The facility is only open on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on Sunday, Jan. 1.
If you are a LeMay food/yard waste customer and would like to have your tree picked up, place your tree in or near your yard/food waste cart in sections of 3 feet or less. Extra fees apply for customers not signed up for food and yard waste collection. For more information, call LeMay at 360-923-0111.
For residents of Lacey, BSA Troop 222 Scouts will provide curbside pickup of holiday trees on Saturday, Jan. 7, for residents within the Lacey city limits. Trees must have all decorations removed and be placed curbside in front of homes by 8 a.m. The Boy Scouts are accepting donations for this community service, which can be made online at www.troop222wa.org, or at BSA Troop 222, PO Box 5379, Lacey, WA 98509. For more information, contact Lacey Public Affairs by calling 360-491-3214 or emailing publicaffairs@ci.lacey.wa.us.
City of Olympia garbage customers will have an opportunity for tree pickup. If customers are on Tuesday/Wednesday service, tree pickup will be on Jan. 7. For Thursday/Friday service, pickup will be on Jan. 14. Customers should place their trees in their regular pickup spot by 6 a.m. Trees over six feet must be cut in half. For more information, call the City of Olympia at 360-754-8340.
Tumwater residents can place their undecorated trees behind the curb near their closest main intersection beginning Jan. 9. Residents are asked to keep sidewalks, bike lanes and roadways clear when dropping off trees. It may take crews several days to pick up all the trees. For more information, call Tumwater Public Works at 360-754-4150.
Multifamily complex residents should check with their property managers for tree placement locations.
