December 24, 2003 2003 Archived News News Release King County makes it easy to recycle Christmas Trees King County residents can get rid of their Christmas trees and help the environment at the same time. King County is sponsoring several "Tree-Cycling" events the first weekend in January where residents can recycle their Christmas trees and take home the wood chips for their yards. "It's easy, it's free, and it's good for the environment," said King County Solid Waste project manager Gemma Alexander. "And there is the added benefit of free wood chips, which people can take home to spruce up their garden in winter. The chips are free for anyone, whether they recycle a tree or not." King County's annual Tree-Cycling program provides residents with a convenient, free and environmentally friendly option for Christmas tree disposal. The Tree-Cycling program collects trees that would otherwise be headed for a landfill and uses them as a resource. Once the trees are collected, they are chipped and used for a number of purposes including trail maintenance, landscaping, erosion control, and composting. Each year, the county collects more than 50,000 residential Christmas trees. Wood is a material targeted for recycling under King County's newly adopted Solid Waste Business Plan. Each year more than 115,000 tons of wood are disposed of by commercial and self-haul sources and at transfer stations. King County residents have many options for recycling their Christmas trees including: Curbside - Residents may be able to recycling their trees during their regular curbside yard waste collection or a special collection. Individuals should contact their city or garbage hauler for details and restrictions. Residents can find their waste hauler website. Community groups - A number of local community groups provide tree-collection services in exchange for a donation. Residents should look for flyers announcing the service in their area. A tree-cycling event sponsored by King County or suburban cities for their residents - residents can bring their trees to one of several drop-off locations free of charge. Below is a list of drop-off locations for free King County Tree-Cycling. Drop-off sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. January 3 and 4, 2004.s City Location Address Bothell Ricketts Administrative Center 18315 Bothell Way N.E. Federal Way Celebration Park 111 S. 324th Street SeaTac Old Boulevard Park School 12833 20th Ave. S. Vashon Island Old Vashon Landfill 18910 Westside Highway SW Renton Boeing Facility NE Park Dr., & Garden Ave. N Redmond Marymoor Park 6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE 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. Free Wood chips will also be available on a first-come first-served basis to anyone, whether or not they bring a tree. Residents who wish to take home wood chips should come prepared with tools and containers, such as bags or a truck bed. For more information about Tree-Cycling, call the King County Solid Waste Division at 206-296-4466, 711 (TTY) or visit the website. Related Information King County Waste Free Holidays King County Solid Waste Division News Releases

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