Recycling Can Make For A Green Christmas Options Are Plentiful For Disposing Of Boxes, Trees

Christmas is over, but its remains may be filling up the living room.

Before the empty cardboard boxes begin collecting dust and the tree’s needles start to weave their way deep into the carpet, consider some options.

No need to fill the garbage pail with the boxes that once overflowed with cookies and fruitcake. The city garbage service, as well as the county’s two collection services, recycle corrugated cardboard.

The cardboard must be flattened and tied, and pieces larger than 2 feet by 2 feet must be cut down.

Christmas tree disposal options abound. They can be recycled, composted or set out with the weekly trash. Some options cost a few dollars and some are free.

Trees heading for recycling or composting must be clean - that means not a shred of tinsel or twine dangling from the limbs.

Here is a partial list of drop-off sites and pickup options:

Garbage crews in the city of Spokane will pick up trees for free. Trees larger than 4 feet should be cut in half.

Valley Garbage Service charges $4.80 to $10 to haul off trees, depending on their size.

Waste Management of Spokane charges $3.85 for trees 4 feet and under, $5.78 for trees from 4 to 6 feet, and $7.70 for trees larger than 6 feet.

The Spokane Parks and Recreation Department will take trees for $2. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 6, 7 and 13, residents can drop trees off at three locations: John A. Finch Arboretum on Sunset Hill; Shadle Park parking lot at Wellesley and Belt; Mission Park parking lot at Mission and Perry.

The trees will be chipped and used for mulch. Proceeds will go to the arboretum’s public education programs.

For more information, call TreeCycle at 625-6664.

Trees can be taken to the Regional Compost Plant in north Spokane County, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Elk-Chattaroy Road, or any of three area transfer stations: North Side Transfer Station, 22123 N. Elk-Chattaroy Road; Valley Transfer Station, 3941 N. Sullivan Road; or the Waste-to-Energy Plant, 2900 S. Geiger Blvd. There is no charge for dumping compostible loads of less than 260 pounds.

Have the tree chipped and use it around trees or shrubs to help keep soil moist and keep weeds out. Branch tips and needles can be used to stuff sachets.

, DataTimes