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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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When it’s time to toss the tree

Hit the road: Area school groups and governments are ready and willing to help residents reclaim their living rooms. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Renata Rollins Staff writer
Hit the road: Area school groups and governments are ready and willing to help residents reclaim their living rooms. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Unless you bought a fake tree or a sapling to plant outside, you’re probably stuck with a dead tree in your living room, and you want to do something about it.

Here are some ideas:

The self-reliant route: Compost your own tree using a wood chipper. Visit www.spokanesolidwaste.org or call the Recycling Hotline at (509) 625-6800 to find out how.

The governmental route: Take your undecorated tree (no ornaments, tinsel, fake snow, etc.) to the Waste-to-Energy Plant at 2900 S. Geiger Blvd., or to one of the drop-off centers at 3941 N. Sullivan or 22123 Elk-Chattaroy Road. These trees are chipped up and turned into compost. If your tree is taller than 6 feet, cut it in half. The first 100 pounds of waste are free, so most trees should be fine. For more information, call the Recycling Hotline at (509) 625-6800.

City of Spokane residents have two other options: You can leave undecorated trees next to your trash bin for free pickup on the day the garbage truck normally rolls through your neighborhood. If your tree is taller than 6 feet, cut it in half. The trees will be burned at the Waste-to-Energy Plant to generate electricity. Call Solid Waste Management at (509) 625-7878 for more information. Pickup is limited to one tree.

If you have a clean green bin, you can remove your tree’s branches (without decorations) and fit them in the bin. This service adds an extra $2.80 to your utilities bill. Call Solid Waste Management at (509) 625-7878 for more information.

Those living outside the city of Spokane but inside Spokane County (including the city of Spokane Valley) also have two more options: For no charge, Waste Management will pick up your undecorated tree on the regularly scheduled clean green pickup – your first pickup day of the month.

Just make sure the tree is next to your bin for clean green material. Have trees under 6 feet or cut in half.

For a fee, Waste Management will pick up your tree as garbage. Just leave it next to your trash bin on your regularly scheduled pickup day. Anything taller than 6 feet must be cut in half.

The charge is $3.25 a segment, which is added to your utilities bill. Call Waste Management at 924-9400 for more information.

The nonprofit route: Benefit the Ferris class of 2005’s senior all-nighter. Drop trees off, along with a $5 donation, in the parking lot at Ferris High School on Sunday and Jan. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call Ted at (509) 448-4118 for more information.

Help Spokane Valley high school bands and color guards at a variety of locations. The donation cost is $5, or $7 for pickup.

To support Central Valley High School, bring your tree to CVHS, Progress Elementary, Sunrise Elementary, Liberty Lake Elementary, or Greenacres Middle School on Saturday, Sunday or Jan. 8 or 9. Call (509) 228-5168 for pickup.

To support West Valley High School, bring your tree to WVHS, the West Valley Administration Building or Pasadena Elementary on Jan. 8 or 9. Call (509) 487-3145 for pickup.

To support University High School, bring your tree to U-High, University Elementary, Broadway Elementary, or the district property at 44th and Sands Road on Sunday and Jan. 8. Call (509) 487-3145 for pickup.

Support Cub Scout Pack 304 of Roosevelt Elementary by dropping off your tree and a $5 donation at the 14th and Lincoln Rosauers supermarket. Drop-off dates are Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Jan. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Jan. 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pickup is available for $10 by calling Jim at (509) 363-1882.