Christmas is over, which means it’s time for the worst part of the holidays for most people: taking down and figuring out what to do with all of the holiday decor. You can always call in one of our organizers to take down and pack up your Christmas decor for you. Click here for more info about that service. If you choose to do it yourself, here is a round-up of recycling, composting and donation options for people living in Portland, Oregon.
Live Christmas Trees
Remove all tinsel, lights, ornaments, wire, nails, stands and other materials that cannot be composted. Trees covered in fake snow are not accepted for composting and must be disposed of as garbage.
Curbside Collection: Tree Pieces
- Cut the trunk and branches into pieces less than 36 inches long and 4 inches in diameter.
- Ensure that any tree pieces in your green compost roll cart do not poke above the lip of the cart. Weight limit is 135 pounds.
- Tie bundles securely with string or twine. Weight limit is 45 pounds.
- Put extra bundles or cans at the curb on your collection day for an additional $3.75 each.
Curbside Collection: Whole Trees
- Put trees that are under 6 feet next to your green compost roll cart at the curb on collection day for $4.85.
- Cut trees down to 6 feet to ensure driver safety.
Nonprofit Pick-up: Whole Trees
- Contact Metro online or call 503-234-3000 to find tree drop-off locations or to arrange a pick-up by a nonprofit organization for a fee.
Fake Christmas Trees, wreaths, ornaments and other holiday decor
Many of the usual sources for donating fake Christmas trees do not accept these kinds of donations immediately after Christmas, because they are unable to store large holiday decorations for most of the year. Your best bet might be to donate it to Goodwill or schedule a service such as Pickup Please to come pick it up for free.
Wrapping paper, ribbons, bows
Place paper items in the blue recycling cart — cardboard and gift boxes, wrapping and tissue paper, catalogs, greeting cards and envelopes. Bows, ribbon and foil-lined items belong in the garbage. You can also donate wrapping paper, ribbons and bows to non-profits such as SCRAP in SW Portland or Schoolhouse Supplies in NE Portland. Call ahead to make sure they are still accepting Christmas/holiday gift wrap.
Poinsettia Plants
Have a worn-out poinsettia plant? Bring it to any Portland Nursery location during the month of January to receive a $5 coupon good for a same day purchase at one of their stores. Best of all, they accept poinsettias purchased anywhere. http://portlandnursery.com
Strings of Christmas lights
You can recycle these at any Far West Recycling Center for $5. Or if you don’t want to pay a fee, take them to Metro Metals NW on NE Columbia Blvd or to Free Geek on SE 10th Street for free.
Many thanks to the City of Portland website for most of this information.