Tacoma residents may recycle Christmas trees free

City of Tacoma Solid Waste Management will pick up undecorated and unflocked Christmas trees from residential garbage customers at no additional charge. Tacoma residents, along with apartment tenants and businesses in Tacoma may dispose of undecorated and unflocked trees free by bringing them to the City of Tacoma Landfill. Drop trees off at the recycling center. Apartment managers or landlords who collect tenants’ trees may drop them off all at once for free, but are encouraged to call (253) 591-5543 in advance. Tree lot operators and nonprofit groups must pay for disposal.

The Tacoma Landfill, 3510 S. Mullen St., will accept trees through Jan. 25. Trees may be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day except New Year’s Day when the landfill is closed. Trees must be free of tinsel, ornaments, flocking and stands.

Solid Waste Management will pick up trees from Tacoma residential garbage customers from Jan. 12 through Jan. 23. Solid Waste Management encourages customers to cut their tree and place it in the brown yard waste container. If a tree will not fit inside the yard waste container, cut the tree into lengths no longer than 3 feet, bundle with heavy twine and place next to the yard waste container. Trees left next to containers will be collected separately from container contents, so it is possible the tree will remain after container contents have been dumped. Christmas trees are the only exception to the utility’s rule that no separate bundles are allowed outside of the yard waste container. Decorated or flocked trees cannot be recycled and must go in the garbage.

Customers with questions about Christmas tree recycling may call (253) 591-5543.