LAKE OSWEGO, OR – It’s the most wonderful time of the year … to recycle your Christmas tree, of course. For a few weeks, they stand in your living room or some other place, decorated, sparkling.
Then it’s time for the shredder.
Right now a lot of people are in this place where you don’t want to take it apart as it adds a bit of sparkle to your home; you’re not quite ready to admit the holiday season is over.
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At the same time, a lot of people are at the place where you are ready to let it go because in addition to the shine it brings, you recognize that no matter how much water you give it, the thing is. gone and you’re tired of sweeping the needles.
If you live in Clackamas, Multnomah, or Washington County, here’s some help on what to do with it.
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Metro, which includes all three counties, has a link to help you find a local recycler. Just enter your address and enter “Christmas trees” and it will give you a list with links and contact information.
Most local garbage disposal and recycling companies that serve the area will pick up your tree for free this week.
No matter where you live, there are a few general rules that apply to everyone:
- Make sure that if the tree is longer than 6 feet, you cut it.
- Be sure to remove all materials other than trees such as lights, ornaments, metal, wire, and plastic.
- Don’t try to recycle an artificial tree
- Most of the flocked trees are rubbish.
Metro has also provided a city-by-city list of how to dispose of your tree.
Beaverton
Tree and Greenery Recycling Information for Beaverton
Canby, within city limits (see Clackamas County)
Clackamas County, not incorporated within the urban growth limit
Cut the tree into pieces and place it in your garden debris cart at no additional cost; make sure the cover closes. You can do this over several weeks if your tree is tall. Or set up your tree (6 feet or less) next to your yard debris cart. Cut larger trees in half. There may be a nominal charge for this option (call your household garbage company). Flocked trees are only accepted as garbage and may incur additional garbage placement charges.
Tree and Greenery Recycling Information for Clackamas County
Crow (see County of Washington)
Durham (see County of Washington)
Estacada
No yard debris program.
Fairview
The tree can be placed in place of ordinary garden debris on the scheduled pickup day at no additional cost. Trees over 8 feet tall should be cut in half. Flocked trees cannot be recycled at the curb. Supports, ornaments and other foreign objects must be removed.
Forest grove (see County of Washington)
Gladstone (see Clackamas County)
Gresham
Cut trees and greenery into lengths that will easily fit into the yard debris cart (36 inches or less) with the lid closed. Trees and debris must be able to fall freely from the cart into the truck when it is tipped. Include only trees, wreaths, plants, and garlands that are free from garlands, ornaments, thread, plastic, or other materials. Whole natural trees (unflocked) less than 6 feet or additional garden debris that is not in the cart will have an additional charge of $ 3.91. Trees over 6 feet will not be picked up unless they are cut in half. Each half of the tree that is not in the cart will incur an additional charge of $ 3.91. Wrap the flocked trees and put them in additional garbage collection for an amount of $ 5.50. If you are unable to cut your tree, contact your carrier for options.
Happy valley (see Clackamas County)
Hillsboro (see County of Washington)
King’s city (see County of Washington)
Lake Oswego, within the urban growth limit (see Clackamas County)
Maywood Park
Contact your carrier for curbside pickup instructions.
Milwaukie (see Clackamas County)
Molalla, within the city limits
Trees can be placed on collection day for 2-3 weeks after Christmas with no collection charge. If the tree is longer than 8 feet, cut it in half.
Northern plains (see County of Washington)
Oregon City, within the urban growth limit (see Clackamas County)
Portland
Cut trees can be placed in the green curbside compost roller cart. Be sure not to overfill or tamp down the tree material. The cover should be closed and debris should fall freely from the cart. Whole trees can be placed next to the compost cart and collected on the day of regular collection by your transporter. There is a charge of $ 5.10 per tree. If a tree is longer than 6 feet, it should be cut in half for handling and safety reasons. No additional charge is added for trees cut in half. For flocked trees, contact your carrier.
Sandy, within city limits (see Clackamas County)
Note: The Clackamas County Waste and Recycling Transfer Station (formerly known as the Sandy Transfer Station) only accepts trees as trash. Customers will be billed the garbage rate.
Sherwood (see County of Washington)
Tigard (see County of Washington)
Troutdale
Cut the trees into sections no more than 4 feet in length and 4 inches in diameter to place them in the yard debris cart with the lid closed. Trees placed outside the debris cart will incur additional charges depending on their size. All decorations must be removed. Please contact Waste Management customer service at 1-800-808-5901 with any questions.
Tualatin, within the urban growth limit
A tree counts as a collection of ordinary garden debris. It should fit into the yard debris cart with the cover closed. If not, cut it in half or third and place it in the yard debris cart. If it is too large to fit in the box, the pieces can be spread over more than a week. Trees intended for collection that are not in the garden debris cart may incur additional charges. Flocked trees are accepted.
Washington County
Tree and Greenery Recycling Information for Washington County
Linn West, within the urban growth limit (see Clackamas County)
Wilsonville, within the urban growth boundary (see Clackamas County)
Village du Bois
Cut trees and greenery into lengths that will easily fit into the yard debris cart (36 inches or less) with the lid closed. Trees and debris must be able to fall freely from the cart into the truck when it is tipped. Include only trees, wreaths, plants, and wreaths that are free from wreaths, ornaments, threads, plastic, or other non-organic materials. No trees flocked in the debris of the yard. Flocked trees will be picked up as garbage and must be put as additional garbage for pickup at an additional charge.