Several options available to recycle Christmas trees

The Arlington and Marysville Boy Scouts will not be recycling Christmas trees this year because of the pandemic but there are still several local options to dispose of trees.

Many garbage collectors will pick up trees, the county's transfer stations will also take them and residents of Marysville can bring up to one tree to Cedar Grove Composting for free recycling.

"If you have curbside yard debris collection service from your garbage collector, check with them for instructions on when, where and how to leave your tree for pick up," said Snohomish County Solid Waste Superintendent Jon Greninger.

For residents of north Snohomish County that will likely be Waste Management Northwest.

Waste Management Northwest instructs customers to put their tree into their curbside yard waste cart and cut trees into four-foot sections.

There should be no plastic, glass, metal, liquids, cooking oil or pet waste in the compost cart.

For those without access to a yard waste bin, the county's transfer stations are also open for tree drop-off.

"You may also take your tree to one of the County’s Recycling and Transfer Stations or Drop Box sites," said Greninger.

Trees left at drop box sites will be thrown in with the garbage, while those dropped at a transfer station will be composted if they are clean.

"Artificial trees, flocked trees, trees treated with fire retardant, or trees that are still decorated will be processed as garbage," said Greninger.

For north county residents the closest transfer station will likely be the North County Recycling and Transfer Station in Arlington at 19600 63rd Ave. NE, Arlington.

Through March 31 the county offers a special rate of $5 per tree for those disposing of them.

Those with questions about disposing of their tree through the county can call the Snohomish County Solid Waste Division at 425-388-3425.

Residents of Marysville can also drop off one tree at Cedar Grove Composting.

"Cedar Grove will again be offering free Christmas tree recycling to the following groups at its Maple Valley and Everett locations," according to Karen Dawson, director of public affairs for the company.

The company will recycle one tree for free per household and additional trees can be recycled for $5 each.

"Residents must show their driver’s license or other ID indicating that they live in Everett, Marysville or Maple Valley in order to recycle one tree for free," said Dawson.

Drop off at the company's Everett location at 3260 36th Pl. NE, Everett is available during normal operation hours, which are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

They do not accept flocked trees.