Holiday Disposal and Sustainability Guide

Remove all tinsel, decorations, stands, and wire frames before disposal. If you live in an apartment, condo, or mobile home community, ask your property manager, landlord, or HOA board for guidance on disposal. You have several disposal options:

• Option 1: Yard Debris Cart (if you have this service)
  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).
• Option 2: Donation
  Many nonprofit organizations offer pickup services or drop-off locations for a small fee or donation to their cause. Find one by searching Metro’s Find a Recycler webpage.

• Option 3: Take to a yard debris facility or compost at home (if space allows)
  Below are several in Clackamas County. Find others by searching Metro’s Find a Recycler webpage.

  • Metro South Transfer Station
    2001 Washington St., Oregon City map
    503-234-3000
  • McFarlane’s Bark
    13345 SE Johnson Rd., Milwaukie map
    503-659-4240
  • S & H Landscape Products & Supply
    20200 SW Stafford Rd., Tualatin map
    503-447-7784

  Note: The Clackamas County Garbage and Recycling Transfer Station (Sandy Transfer Station) accepts trees as garbage at the garbage rate

• Option 4: Garbage
  Cut tree into pieces and place in your garbage 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 garbage cart. Cut larger trees in half. There will be a small fee for this option (call your garbage company).

All artificial trees and trees “flocked” with fake snow should be put at the curb for pick-up as garbage for a small fee (call your garbage company).

Put in your garbage cart, or take to a facility for recycling (remove large bulbs first). Most of these facilities only recycle string lights during and right after the holiday season.

• Metro South Transfer Station
  2001 Washington St., Oregon City map
  503-234-3000
• Clackamas County Garbage & Recycling Transfer Station (Sandy Transfer Station)
  19600 SE Canyon Valley Road, Sandy map
  503-668-8885
• Willamette Resources
  10295 SW Ridder Rd., Wilsonville map
  503-570-0626

Wrapping and Tissue Paper
Put wrapping and tissue paper with glitter, plastic, or metallic foil in the garbage. Those without can go in the recycling.
Gift Bags, Ribbons, and Bows
Reuse next year. Otherwise, ribbons and bows go in the garbage. Put gift bags with glitter, plastic, or metallic foil in the garbage (remove ribbon handles).
Greeting Cards
Put greeting cards with glitter, plastic, or metallic foil in the garbage. Those without can go in the recycling.
Rigid Plastic Packaging
Put rigid plastic packaging (the kind you need scissors to open) in the garbage.
Padded Shipping Envelopes 
Do not put paper or plastic shipping envelopes with bubble wrap inside in your recycle cart. Reuse, or put in the garbage.
Or cut out all labels and stickers and take plastic shipping envelopes to the grocery store with your plastic bags.
Bubble Wrap
Reuse, or put in the garbage.
Or take to the grocery store with your plastic bags (pop first).
Packing Peanuts 
Reuse, or put in the garbage (bag them first).
Or check with your local shipping store to see if they will reuse them.
Polystyrene (Styrofoam™)
Put in the garbage. Or search for a current fee-for-recycling drop-off option on Metro's Find a Recycle webpage or by calling 503-234-3000.

Pour cooled fats, oil and grease into a disposable, closed container and put in the garbage. Soak up remaining fats, oil and grease with a paper towel and put in the garbage. Do not pour down the sink.

Set out extra bags for a small fee (call your garbage company).
For large, bulky items that do not fit in your garbage bin (like furniture or mattresses), call your garbage company for a cost estimate or take to a transfer station for a fee. Consider donating if the item is still in good condition. Search Metro's Find a Recycler directory or call 503-234-3000.

If you rent a house or apartment, ask your property manager before setting out whole trees, extra garbage or large, bulky items.