- Reuse and recycling tips for holiday items
- Natural yard care tips for the winter months
- Tree composting information
- ...and more!
As you start pulling out those festive decorations this year here are some tips for ways to recycle, donate, or upcycle old, unwanted, or broken decorations:
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Christmas lights – broken lights can be brought to several locations throughout the county for recycling. King County has more info available at Green holidays - King County, Washington. Broken holiday lights can also be put in the regular garbage.
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Plastic yard decorations – plastic yard decorations do not go into your recycling. If they are in good condition consider donating them at a local Goodwill, or post on Facebook Kirkland Buy Nothing Group for reuse.
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Greeting cards, wrapping paper, and gift bags – Save gift bags and other reusable wrappings to use again! Plain paper cards, bags, and wrapping paper (no glitter or foil) can be recycled curbside. Consider upcycling cards into ornaments, wreaths, or more fun ideas can be found at Recycling Christmas Cards: 12 Creative Ways To Upcycle Old Cards.
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Wreaths – Separate out branches and decorations from metal base. Branches can be placed in the gray yard waste cart. Reuse the wreath base and decorations. Fake wreaths can be donated for reuse and are not recyclable.
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Batteries – Bring your household batteries to the Kirkland City Hall or North Kirkland Community Center for recycling. Please empty into recycling containers and do not leave in bags. Accepted batteries can be found at Battery Recycling – City of Kirkland
Each year, the average American throws away roughly 80 pounds of textiles – worn out clothes, linens and shoes. The result is 92 million tons of textiles headed to the landfill. You can be part of the solution!
Waste Management’s ReTRN (Recycling Textiles Right Now) program offers a convenient solution for residents at apartment and condominium complexes. WM recycling experts work with property managers and residents to ensure the right materials go into the WM ReTRN carts. The program provides residents a dedicated cart to recycle textiles, just as they would cans and bottles. At four properties in Snohomish County, this program has collected and diverted 15,000 pounds of textiles from the landfill so far this year. Other properties in Kirkland have already collected 200+ pounds of textiles!
For more information or to sign up, email recyclenw@wm.com
You can also recycle clothes by dropping them into the textile collection box at the Houghton Transfer Station. Check out their page for more info Houghton Recycling & Transfer Station - King County, Washington
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After your holly jolly holiday, unflocked (without powder or fake snow), undecorated Christmas trees up to 6 feet tall can be placed beside your cart at no cost during the first two weeks of January to be collected by Waste Management for composting.
Taller trees should be cut down to 4-foot segments. Put out trees next to your cart on your regular service day during the weeks of January 6 or 13, 2025.
Outside of the first two weeks of January, trees should be cut into 3 foot segments and put fully inside your yard waste cart.
Pining for the days when you can get out and enjoy your garden again?
Even though our yard chores are mercifully few this time of year, there are still things you can do for your yard to support a beautiful, natural yard in 2025, and to support wildlife during the colder months.
Check out our latest Kirkland Conserves blog for tips for what to do in your yard this winter and resources that can help you plan for next year.
If you are lucky enough to own property on Lake Washington’s shore, or if you know someone who is, check out this great resource from our friends at Salmon Friendly Lakes!
Landscaping and lighting choices on lakeside properties can have an outsized impact on salmon health, so Salmon Friendly Lakes offers technical assistance to support homeowners who want to help create healthy habitat for migrating and juvenile salmon.
Technical assistance could include:
- Shoreline redesign
- Permitting assistance
- Funding opportunities.
P.S. Not lucky enough to be lakeside? Check out the City of Kirkland’s Yard Smart Rain Rewards program, set up a site visit, and see if your property could be eligible for up to $5,000 in rebates.
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