Spokane Offers FREE curbside pickup of your old Christmas Tree (AKA Fire Hazard)

The holidays aren’t quite here yet, but it won’t be long until that fine-smelling fir in the living room is a dried-up fire hazard. So, the City wants to remind you of your options to get rid of your tree once the season is over.

First, the City’s Solid Waste Management Department offers free curbside pickup for its customers. Once the decorations are removed, residents can place their trees alongside their garbage carts on their regularly scheduled garbage pickup days. The City will accept trees up to 6 feet in height; if they’re taller than that, cut them in half. Trees collected at curbside will be chipped up and composted. For information, call Solid Waste Management at 625-7878.

Second, City and County residents also can take their undecorated, unflocked trees for disposal to the:

· Waste-to-Energy Facility, 2900 S. Geiger Blvd.

· Spokane Valley Transfer Station, 3941 N. Sullivan Road.

· North Side Transfer Station, 22123 Elk-Chattaroy Road.

Again, trees taller than 6 feet should be cut in half. Trees taken to these facilities are subject to a $5 minimum charge for clean green disposal; they will be composted. For more information, call the Recycling Hotline at 625-6800.

Residents also should watch for opportunities to dispose of trees and help a good cause. Scouts, school groups, and other charitable organizations will dispose of trees for a donation.

Remember, garbage pickup and curbside recycling are on a normal schedule this year with City Solid Waste crews working on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.