You Ask, Bellevue Patch Answers: How Can I Dispose of My Christmas Tree?

Q: How can I dispose of my Christmas tree after the holidays?

A: According to the city of Bellevue utilities department, Bellevue residents have several options for recycling their trees: curbside, arranged pickup and drop-off. People who need to recycle their tree should remove all decoration, including flocking and tinsel, and should read instructions for payment and tree handling.

Curbside:

Allied Waste Services is picking up trees for its existing customers on their regular pickup dates. The trees should be cut into four-foot lengths and bundled with natural fiber rope or twine. Bundles should be no bigger than two feet wide. For more information, call Allied Waste at 425-452-4762.

Pickup:

Several Boy Scout troops will pick up recycling in certain neighborhoods for suggested minimum donations of $10 by check payable to each troop.

Boy Scout Troop 662 will pick trees up for recycling in the neighborhoods of Woodridge, Kelsey Creek, College Hill, Newport Hills, Newport Shores and Somerset. The pickup dates are from Sunday, Jan. 2 and Saturday, Jan. 8. To schedule a pickup, send an e-mail from now until Jan. 2 to: Troop662treepickup@hotmail.com. The troop will need your home address, including unit number for apartments and condos, and which day you would like your tree picked up. People who have made arrangements should leave their tree on the curb by 9 a.m. the morning of requested pickup, and write "662" in large numerals on a donation envelope visibly attached to the tree. The donations should be placed in a clear plastic baggie to keep the contents dry. Make checks payable to "Troop 662."

Boy Scout Troop 600 will pick up trees in neighborhoods west of Interstate 405, north of Interstate 90 and south of State Route 520, plus Yarrow, Hunts and Evergreen points. People also can drop off their trees for a suggested donation of $10 between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at , 9601 NE 24th St. To schedule a pick up, make a donation or for information call 425-452-5573 or visit www.recyclemytree.org before Jan. 3 for pickup on Jan. 8. Place the donation envelope in a clear plastic baggie to keep the contents dry. Make checks payable to "Troop 660."

Drop off:

Pacific Topsoils at 1733 127th Ave. N.E., Bellevue will accept trees after Dec. 25. Fee is $3. The hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Topsoils is closed Christmas and New Years Day. Do not cut up your trees.

In all cases, trees should have no flocking, ornaments, paint, lights, metal hangers, or tinsel. Trees should not be dumped, especially near or in streams, because this can cause flooding according to the Bellevue utilities department.