How to throw away your old Christmas tree in Seattle

We’ve all been there: It’s the day after Christmas, and there’s a seven-foot tall tree shedding pine needles that now is more garbage than it is decoration. Thankfully, cities across the Puget Sound region have made it easy to dispose of your old tree.

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Bellevue Mayor and Waste Management Senior Manager John Chelminiak talked with KIRO Radio to provide some post-holiday advice on tree disposal.

Chelminiak’s biggest piece of advice: “No tinsel/flocking, [and] all ornaments removed.” Also, be sure you don’t put your Christmas lights in either yard waste or recycling.

Beyond that, Seattle, Kirkland, Redmond, Federal Way, and Auburn all have set dates for pickups.

Seattle 

• Residential collection between Dec. 26 and Jan. 31 on compost collection day. Place tree next to cart.
• Multifamily collection allows for two trees placed to each compost cart on collection day. Check with your property manager for specific instructions.
• Between Dec. 26 and Jan. 31, anyone can drop Christmas trees off at City of Seattle’s North and South Transfer Station.
• Anyone with yard waste collection can cut up the tree and place it in their yard waste bin. Tree pieces can be up to three feet in length maximum.

Kirkland

• Residential collection between Jan. 3 and Jan. 16 on normal collection day. Place tree next to cart.
• For multifamily collection, check Kirkland’s Waste Management site here.

Redmond

• Residential collection between Jan. 2 and Jan. 16 on normal collection day.
• For multifamily collection, check Redmond’s Waste Management site here.

Federal Way

• Residential collection between Dec. 26 and Jan. 11 on normal collection day. Place next to cart.
• Multifamily collection between Jan. 2 and Jan. 9. Check with your property manager for specific instructions.

Auburn

• Residential collection between Jan. 7 and Jan. 11 on normal collection day. Place next to cart.
• For multifamily collection, check Auburn’s Waste Management site here.

If you don’t see your location listed, you can find details on when and where to dispose of your Christmas tree by clicking the drop-down menu and selecting your city here.

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