The Christmas hoopla is over.  Time to take the lights down, pack away the ornaments, put away the inflatable "Frosty" lawn spectacle (or, in my family's case, the Home Depot and Lowe's cars currently racing across our front lawn), and make your home look a little less glitzy.

Now, what to do with the tree?  Let's face it -- we live in the Pacific Northwest.  Most of us have real Christmas trees.  Some of us even cut our own.  Seems a shame to waste them.

Don't!  Recycle those trees instead!  Kitsap County makes it so easy.  Trees are accepted for recycling at most facilities until at least January 15, 2008.

First, remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, etc. from the tree.  Only clean trees will be accepted for recycling.  remember that next year before asking to have your trees "flocked."  Flocked trees are not accepted, and neither are garlands or wreaths.

Next, drop your tree of at any of these locations.  Best to call and confirm hours of operation, if possible.

Bremerton: Public Works Department at 100 Oyster Bay Avenue in West Bremerton, or the Water Utility Building at 3027 Olympus Drive in East Bremerton.

Silverdale and Central Kitsap:  Silverdale Recycling and Garbage at 8843 Dickey Road, up Newberry Hill. 

Poulsbo:  Poulsbo Recycle Center at 710 Iverson, downtown Poulsbo.

Port Orchard:  Olalla Recycling and Garbage at 2850 SE Burley-Olalla Road.  Also,  the Olympic View Transfer Station at 9300 SW Barney White Road near the airport.

For all of Kitsap County:  Please consider donating your tree as well as a $10 donation to Boy Scout Troop 1506!  They will dispose of the tree for you!  You can drop your tree at the front door of the Scout Hall in Tracyton and leave your donation in the mail slot.  This way, you don't need to worry about hours of operation, and it is so convenient to help out the Scouts!

At Realty Station, we plan to recycle our Christmas trees.  The giving season doesn't have to end at Christmas -- keep recycling all year.