Holiday Recycling and Waste

Holiday times can create a lot of waste. More packages arrive on doorsteps. Wrapping paper, bows and ribbons are left behind from gifts. Lights, decorations and wreaths wear out or break. Many are left wondering, "What do I do with it?" Discover how to recycle and dispose of your holiday waste.


Holiday Lights

Lowe's and Bainbridge Island Ace Hardware stores accept used string lights for recycling during the holiday season. String lights are also accepted at many metal scrap recyclers. String lights can be placed in the metal scrap bins year-round at the Silverdale Recycling and Garbage Facility and Olympic View Transfer Station.


Christmas Trees

Take your tree to one of these drop-off sites or fundraisers. Remove all decorations from trees. *Flocked trees only accepted where noted. 

 North Kitsap

BSA Troop 1564 & 1804. Home pickup fundraiser on Bainbridge Island. Register online

NK Athletic Boosters. Drop off your tree Jan. 8, from 9 AM - 5 PM or Jan. 9, from 9 AM - 4 PM at Central Market PoulsboSuggested donation of $5 will benefit the NK High School Baseball Team.

Olmsted Tree Farm. 17526 Clear Creek Rd NW, Poulsbo. Drop off on Dec. 31, Jan. 1, Jan. 7, or Jan. 8. No flocked trees. Cost $5

Olympic Organics. 7890 NE Ecology Road, Kingston. Starting Jan. 2. No tinsel. No flocked trees. Cost $5. 

TILZ Soils and Compost. 12112 Miller Rd NE, Bainbridge Island. Cost $2

 Central Kitsap

BSA Troop 1541 will take your tree for recycling at Silverdale Taco Bell on Dec. 31, Jan. 7 and 8, from 10 AM - 4 PM. Group suggests $10 donation. Also offering curbside pickup in Silverdale and East Bremerton only. Group suggests $10 donation. Schedule at least one day prior to pick up. Contact: scouts.bsa.troop1541@gmail.com 

City of Bremerton. 100 Oyster Bay Ave N. and 2929 Olympus Dr.  Drop off anytime Dec. 27 - Jan. 22. No flocked trees, garland, or wreaths. No cost

Darrel Emel's Tree Service9405 Provost Rd. NW. Jan. 2 - Feb. 7, 24/7. *Flocked ok. Drop on the south end near the train tracks. No cost

North Mason Fiber. NE 431 Log Yard Rd., Belfair. No cost. 
Olympic Organics Bremerton. 6068 State Highway 303 NE Starting Jan. 2. No tinsel or flocked trees. Cost $5.

 South Kitsap

Allen Shearer Trucking & Landscape Supply. 121 NE Log Yard Rd., Belfair. Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 4 PM and Saturday 8 AM - 4 PM

Highline Tree Removal. Two locations on January 8: Ace Hardware Port Orchard 7:45 AM - 9:45 AM and Tractor Supply Port Orchard 10 AM - noon. No cost.

North Mason FiberNE 431 Log Yard Rd., Belfair. No cost.

Peninsula Topsoil50 NE Peninsula Blvd, Belfair. Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 4 PM and Saturday 9 AM - 1:30 PM. No cost.

Troop 1529 will pick up your tree on January 7. Service to Port Orchard, McCormick Woods and some areas North of Mullenix. Register Online. *Flocked OK. Cost - $15 donation.

Wreath Works LLC15384 Glenwood Rd. SW. Open daily until January 15, 9 AM - 4 PM. *Flocked OK. No cost. 


​Frequently Asked Questions

Why buy a real tree?

Kitsap County is one of the top Christmas tree-producing counties in Washington. Local trees support our local economy. Unlike PVC plastic trees, real trees can be grown, enjoyed, and recycled right here in Kitsap.

Can I bring Christmas trees to county disposal facilities?

You can recycle (weekends only) or dispose of unflocked trees at Olympic View Transfer Station for the minimum fee. Trees are not recycled at the Recycling and Garbage Facilities in Hansville, Silverdale, or Olalla, but they are accepted as garbage (one or two can equivalent, depending on size). 

Will my garbage hauler pick up my tree?

If you subscribe to curbside compost service, simply remove all decorations and cut your unflocked tree until it fits into your cart. If you don't have curbside compost service, you can cut your tree into pieces and add small pieces to your garbage weekly until it's gone. Trees left at the curb (outside a cart) will be charged as extra garbage and will not be recycled.

What happens to the trees that are collected?

Trees are chipped down to mulch or compost and used in gardens and landscapes. 

Why can't I recycle flocked trees everywhere?

It can be difficult to tell what flocking material is actually made from. Most tree recyclers do not want to risk adding harmful chemicals to their soil and mulch products. If you cannot recycle your tree, take it to a disposal facility or cut the flocked tree into pieces and add small pieces to your garbage weekly until it's gone.


Information does not constitute an endorsement of any kind from Kitsap County. All listings are current when posted and subject to change without notice. Contact the organization or business directly to verify the information.

 Guides to Recycle and Disposal

Picture Guide

This list does not constitute an endorsement from Kitsap County.