Kirstin Davis - (509) 481-7223
Friday, December 27, 2024 at 8:48 p.m.
Now that the gifts have been opened, it’s time to clean up and the City is ready to help you. Residents have several options to recycle their trees, and here are tips on disposing of paper, bows, ribbons, and boxes.
The City’s Solid Waste Collection Department will offer free curbside pickup for its customers beginning Monday, Dec. 30, through Friday. Jan. 10. Once the decorations are removed, residents can place their fresh-cut trees (trunks no bigger than three inches in diameter) at least three feet away from the garbage and recycling carts on their regularly scheduled pickup days. No artificial or flocked trees are accepted through this service.
The City will accept trees up to six feet in height; if they’re taller than that, cut them in half. Loose branches may be bundled next to the tree not to exceed six feet in length. Trees collected curbside will be chipped and composted. For information, call the City at 3-1-1 (or 509.755.2489 if calling outside the City).
City and County residents also can take their undecorated, unflocked trees for disposal to:
Again, trees taller than six feet should be cut in half. Trees taken to these facilities are subject to the minimum charge for clean green disposal; they will be composted. For more information, call the Recycling Hotline at 509-477-6800. The facilities are closed Wednesday, Jan. 1.
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.
Meanwhile, some holiday packaging material is recyclable and can go into blue recycling carts. Gift wrap, except for metallic foil paper and cellophane, is recyclable, along with cardboard boxes and wrapping paper rolls. Styrofoam, plastic bags, plastic wrap, gift bags, and tissue paper should go in the brown garbage carts.
NEW in 2025!
Winter curbside pickup for Food and Yard Waste customers is now available one week out of the month! Put your green cart out on your normal collection day the week of Jan. 6-10, and again Feb. 3-7 and City of Spokane will dispose of leftover yard waste and food scraps.
Reminder, solid waste services will be a day late following the New Year’s Day holiday. Residents with regular Friday services will have service on Saturday. The Waste to Energy facility and transfer stations will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 1.
