Several ideas for West Plains Christmas tree disposal

WEST PLAINS – Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are over, and now there’s a big piece of bare foliage taking up space in your living room. What do you do?

On the West Plains there are several ways to dispose of your Christmas tree. In Airway Heights, curbside disposal is through Waste Management, which will be collecting trees through the week of Jan. 6. Trees must be cut into sections no larger than four feet in length, and one extra charge will be applied to non-yard debris subscribers per whole tree.

Cheney solid waste crews will pick up trees on regular curbside garbage pickups, but as with other services the trees must be cut into segments. If the tree is less than six feet tall, cut it in half, and if it’s over six feet, cut in thirds.

Segments may be placed at the curb next to the residence’s garbage cart, and an extra $3.44 charge will appear on the next utility bill.

Medical Lake and Spokane County residents serviced by Sunshine Disposal may also get rid of their tree at the curbside. Sunshine officials say the tree must be broken down as best as possible, with pieces not to exceed four feet in length and two inches in diameter and able to fit into the can or bin.

Residents may also take their trees to the Waste to Energy Plant located on Geiger Boulevard.

Finally, if you want your tree to end its useful life by going to a good cause, Cheney’s Little Guy Wrestling Club, Cheney Hawks Wrestling, is again recycling trees for donations this year. Trees may be dropped off at the Cheney Yoke’s Fresh Market on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 4-5 and Jan. 11-12 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Club volunteer Heidi Rasmussen said this is the second year for the tree collection fund raiser. Last year the wrestlers filled a large recycling box donated by the city of Cheney twice, with the proceeds helping to pay for things such as singlets and head gear. With 90 wrestlers in 2019, that gear went quickly, and more is needed.

“We’re growing so quickly that we were out of everything,” Rasmussen said.

Besides more singlets and head gear, Rasmussen said additional proceeds raised this year would go to purchasing shoes and paying for scholarships for families whose kids want to wrestle but find it hard to afford the sport, which can get expensive with equipment and fees.

“We don’t want anyone not to wrestle because of money,” she added.

If you can’t make it to Yokes, the Cheney Hawks Wrestling will come to you simply by leaving a Facebook message at the Cheney Hawks Wrestling page or by texting 509-420-0951. The wrestlers are unable to accept artificial or flocked trees or trees that still have decorations.

Suggested donations for dropping trees with the wrestlers at Yoke’s are $5 and $10 – $20 if leaving for curbside pick-up.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.