After the holidays are over, make sure you dispose of your cut holiday tree properly.

Recycling your tree keeps them out of landfills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Help your tree get a new life as compost or as wood chips for a playground. Do not leave your tree near your home, where it can be a fire hazard.

Locally, there are several options for recycling your tree.

Kent – f you live in Kent, local Boy Scout troops will collect and recycle trees in neighborhoods for a suggested donation of $5.00. To ensure pickup, trees must be placed curbside on Jan. 3 by 8 a.m.

Trees can also be taken to the Service Club Ball Fields at 14608 SE 288 Street where scouts will also be on hand.

For more information on tree recycling services in Kent, go to http://kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=40802189664.

For more information on tree recycling services in Kent, go to

http://kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=40802189664=

For more information on tree recycling in Kent, go to http://kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=40802189664.

South King County – Go to http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/garbage-recycling/documents/Tree-Cycling-flier.pdf.

When taking your tree to a recycling location, remember the following:

• No flocked or artificial tree accepted

• Remove all garland, tinsel, and ornaments

• Trees typically need to be in 4-6 foot lengths and trunks no more than 4 inches in diameterhttp://kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=40802189664

• Secure your load, it’s the law

For recycling holiday lights, go to http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/ecoconsumer/holiday-light-recycling.asp .

Safety Tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to help keep your family safe in 2015 by making sure you have working smoke alarms. Change the batteries annually, vacuum them out, and replace them every ten years.