CONTACT:    Thurston County Solid Waste, 360-867-2491 or ThurstonSolidWaste@co.thurston.wa.us

 
OLYMPIA – When the holidays wind down and the decorations get packed away, it’s time to figure out what to do with the Christmas tree. This season, residents can take advantage of various free tree collection and drop-off opportunities available throughout the county.

To prepare your natural tree for recycling, please remove all ornaments, lights, stands, nails, and tinsel before drop-off. Flocked trees are accepted. Search “Christmas tree” in the online directory at WhereDoITakeMy.org for program details.

Drop-off Locations

All Thurston County residents: Trees are accepted at the Waste and Recovery Center located at 2420 Hogum Bay Road NE in Lacey from December 26 through January 21(closed January 1). Hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Customers with other waste, in addition to a tree, should expect to make two trips across the scale.

Rainier residents: Take trees to the Rainier Drop-box Facility at 13010 Rainier Acres Road SE from December 29 through January 21. Hours of operation are Friday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Rochester residents: Take trees to the Rochester Drop-box Facility at 16500 Sargent Road SW from December 26 through January 21. Hours of operation are Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tenino residents: Residents can take trees to 418 Wichman St., S from December 26 through January 14.

Yelm residents: Residents can place trees in a designated dumpster at 124 3rd St., SE anytime from December 26 through January 14.

Pick-Up Information

LeMay food/yard waste customers: Place your tree in or near your food and yard waste cart (in sections of three feet or less). Extra fee(s) apply for customers not signed up for food and yard waste collection. Call LeMay at 360-923-0111 for information.

City of Lacey residents: BSA Troop 222 Scouts will provide curbside pick-up of holiday trees on Saturday, January 6, for residents within Lacey city limits. You do not need to register to participate; just remove all decorations and place trees curbside in front of homes by 8:00 a.m. Donations for this service can be made to the troop online at www.troop222wa.org, or by mail at BSA Troop 222, PO Box 5379, Lacey, WA 98509. For more information contact Lacey Public Affairs, at 360-491-3214, or publicaffairs@ci.lacey.wa.us.

City of Olympia garbage customers: For customers with Tuesday/Wednesday service, tree pickup will occur on January 13. For Thursday/Friday service, pickup will occur on January 20. Place trees in your regular garbage pickup spot by 6:00 a.m. Trees larger than six feet must be cut in half. Call City of Olympia at 360-754-8340 for more information.

City of Tumwater residents: Residents may place undecorated trees behind the curb near their closest main intersection beginning January 8. Please keep sidewalks, bike lanes, and roadways clear when dropping off trees. It may take several days for crews to pick up all trees. For more information, please contact Tumwater Public Works at 360-754-4150.

Multi-family complex residents: Check with your property manager for tree placement locations.

-30-