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Dealing with debris: Burning illegal in most areas, seek alternatives instead

Many cities, counties offering free or discounted disposal options

 

Dec. 19, 2006 -- The recent windstorms downed trees and flung branches, leaving many Puget Sound area residents with a heap of debris. What to do with the mess? Burning it all may seem like an efficient solution -- but in fact state law prohibits outdoor fires in urbanized areas and in other areas burning is subject to additional local restrictions. Plus, with its high levels of particulate matter and toxic carcinogens, smoke from burning fallen limbs and yard waste negatively impacts air quality -- and your health. Make the healthy -- and legal -- choice for your family and neighbors instead, and consider alternate disposal options.

Many cities, counties, and private companies are right now offering free or discounted drop-off, pick-up or other services to help residents recover from the storm. Below are offers we're aware of in our four-county region, listed here as a courtesy to our partners.

Note: We endeavor to make this list as comprehensive as possible and will update as new information becomes available - omission of any other offer is unintentional.

** These services are for woody storm debris, not garbage. **

 

King County

  • King County residents: Rainier Wood Recyclers is offering free wood recycling drop-off on December 23 at its facilities in Auburn and Fall City. <More>

  • City of Auburn offers pickup of storm debris at no extra cost for Waste Management residential customers Dec. 26 – Jan. 6.  <More>

  • City of Bellevue offers curb-side, yard waste pick up on your normal collection day, but do not set in street right-of-way.  <More>

  • City of Bothell offers debris drop off at the Park at Bothell Landing gravel parking lot (9919 NE 180th Street, Bothell) through at least Saturday, Dec. 30th at 5 p.m.  <More>

  • City of Kirkland is providing two locations for residents at Juanita Beach and Crestwoods Parks <More>

  • City of Mercer Island is offering 4 free drop-off sites, daylights hours only.  <More> 

  • City of Newcastle will begin curbside pick up on Dec. 19.  <More> 

  • City of Pacific is offering citizens the opportunity to bring tree limbs and wood debris to city park where it will be run through a chipper.

  • City of Redmond says it is OK to set out extra yard waste for curbside pick up.  <More> 

  • City of Renton is coordinating with Rainier Wood Recyclers for free Dec. 23 drop off <More>

  • City of Seattle will collect extra storm-related branches and yard debris on the normal yard waste collection day, from both yard waste subscribers and non-subscribers, through Dec. 31. There will be no extra charges. <More>

  • City of Tukwila is offering free chipper days at Foster High School on Dec. 22 and 23.  <More>

  • City of Woodinville is holding collection events at Bobby Wolford Trucking and Demolition, 22014 West Bostian Road, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 28, 29, 30 and Jan. 5, 6, 12, 13. <More>

  • Regular King County facilities:  http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/

 

Kitsap County

 

Pierce County

  • Pierce County residents can self-haul their debris to transfer stations free of charge through Jan. 21.  <More> 

  • City of DuPont has designated Manchester Place and Center Drive as an area for fallen tree branches and other yard waste from the wind storm through Jan. 15.  Please take care to place limbs and branches on the designated asphalted area.  For more information, contact City Hall at (253) 964-8121.

  • City of Fife is providing a free drop off at the Fife Public Works yard.  Weekdays 12/21 – 1/5 (closed 12/25, 12/26, 1/1).  <More>

  • City of Tacoma offers residents special opportunities to properly recycle storm-related debris now through January 12. Two options * curbside collection and landfill disposal * are offered, and both are free. <more>

  • University Place residents may place storm debris in their yard waste toters for weekly pickup (both scheduled and off-week days) through the first week of January.  For more information, call (253) 566-5656.  Another option:  University Place Refuse & Recycling located at 2815 Rochester W located just south of Cheers West on 12/23 & 12/30.

 

Snohomish County

  • At area composting facilities fees vary but are less than the transfer station. <More>