Oregon City Christmas Tree Recycling: What You Need To Know

OREGON CITY, OR — It's the most wonderful time of the year... to recycle your holiday tree, that is. For a couple of weeks, they stand in your living room or some other place, decorated, sparkling.

Then it's time for the chipper.

By now many people are in that place where you don't want to take it down because it adds some sparkle to your home; you're not quite ready to admit that the holiday season is over.

At the same time, many people are in the place where you're ready to let it go because in addition to the sparkle that it brings, you recognize that no matter how much water you give it, the thing is gone and you're tired of sweeping up needles.

If you live in Clackamas, Multnomah, or Washington County, here's some help in figuring out what to do with it.

Metro, which consists of the three counties, has a link to help you find a local recycler. Just enter your address and enter "Christmas Trees" and it will give you a list with links and contact information.

Most of the local garbage disposal and recycling companies that serve the region will pick up your tree for free this week.

No matter where you live, there are some general rules that apply to all:

• Make sure that if the tree is taller than 6-feet, that you cut it down.
• Make sure that you remove all non-tree materials such as lights, ornaments, metal, wire, and plastic.
• Do not try recycling an artificial tree
• Most flocked trees are garbage.

Metro also provided a city-by-city list of how to dispose of your tree.

Beaverton
Tree and greenery recycling information for Beaverton

Canby, inside city limits (see Clackamas County)

Clackamas County, unincorporated inside the urban growth boundary
Cut tree into pieces and place in your yard debris cart for no extra charge; make sure the lid closes. You can do this over several weeks if your tree is large. Or set out your tree (6 feet or shorter) next to your yard debris cart. Cut larger trees in half. There may be a small fee for this option (call your garbage company). Flocked trees only accepted as garbage and may incur an extra garbage set out fee.

Tree and greenery recycling information for Clackamas County

Cornelius (see Washington County)

Durham (see Washington County)

Estacada
No yard debris program.

Fairview
Tree can be placed out in lieu of regular yard debris on scheduled pick-up day at no extra charge. Trees over 8 feet tall should be cut in half. Flocked trees cannot be recycled curbside. Stands, ornaments, and other foreign matter must be removed.

Forest Grove (see Washington County)

Gladstone (see Clackamas County)

Gresham
Cut trees and greenery into lengths that easily fit in the yard debris roll cart (36 inches or less) with the lid closed. Trees and debris must be able to fall freely from the cart into the truck when tipped. Include only trees, wreaths, plants and swags that are free of tinsel, ornaments, wires, plastic or other materials. Whole natural trees (not flocked) under 6 feet or additional yard debris set out not in the cart will be assessed an additional fee of $3.91. Trees over 6 feet will not be collected unless cut in half. Each half of the tree not in the cart will assess an additional fee of $3.91. Wrap flocked trees and put out as extra garbage pickup for a $5.50 fee. If you are not able to cut your tree, contact your hauler for options.

Happy Valley (see Clackamas County)

Hillsboro (see Washington County)

King City (see Washington County)

Lake Oswego, inside the urban growth boundary (see Clackamas County)

Maywood Park
Contact your hauler for curbside pickup guidelines.

Milwaukie (see Clackamas County)

Molalla, inside city limits
Trees can be set out on collection day for 2-3 weeks after Christmas, no charge for pick up. If the tree is taller than 8 feet, cut it in half.

North Plains (see Washington County)

Oregon City, inside the urban growth boundary (see Clackamas County)

Portland
Cut up trees may be placed in the green curbside compost roll cart. Be sure not to overfill or pack down the tree material. The lid must be closed and debris must fall freely from the cart. Whole trees can be placed next to the composting cart and collected on your regularly scheduled collection day by your hauler. There is a $5.10 per tree charge. If a tree is over 6 feet, it must be cut in half for handling and safety purposes. No additional fees are added for trees cut in half. For flocked trees, contact your hauler.

Sandy, inside city limits (see Clackamas County)
Note: The Clackamas County Garbage and Recycling Transfer Station (formerly known as the Sandy Transfer Station) only accepts trees as garbage. Customers will be charged the garbage rate.

Sherwood (see Washington County)

Tigard (see Washington County)

Troutdale
Cut trees into sections no more than 4 feet in length and 4 inches in diameter to be placed in the yard debris cart with the lid closed. Trees set outside of the debris cart will incur extra charges depending on size. All decorations must be removed. Please contact Waste Management customer service at 1-800-808-5901 with questions.

Tualatin, inside the urban growth boundary
A tree counts as a regular yard debris set-out. It must fit into the yard debris cart with the lid closed. If it doesn’t, cut it in half or thirds and put it out in the yard debris cart. If it is too large to fit in the can, the pieces can be put out over more than one week. Trees set out for pickup that are not in the yard debris cart may incur an extra charge. Flocked trees are accepted.

Washington County
Tree and greenery recycling information for Washington County

West Linn, inside the urban growth boundary (see Clackamas County)
Wilsonville, inside the urban growth boundary (see Clackamas County)

Wood Village

Cut trees and greenery into lengths that easily fit in the yard debris roll cart (36 inches or less) with the lid closed. Trees and debris must be able to fall freely from the cart into the truck when tipped. Include only trees, wreaths, plants and swags that are free from tinsel, ornaments, wires, plastic or other non-organic materials. No flocked trees in the yard debris. Flocked trees will be collected as garbage and must be put out as extra garbage for pickup with an extra charge.