There are so many things to think about during the holidays, and garbage and recycling usually isn’t at the top of anyone’s list. The city of Federal Way Solid Waste and Recycling Division would like to help you manage your waste during this busy time.

Holiday schedule: There is no garbage, recycling or yard waste collection on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. Service will be one day later each week. For example, Tuesday customers will be serviced on Wednesday.

Cardboard boxes and wrapping paper: Curbside recycling is unlimited, so don’t throw away any cardboard, plain gift wrap, gift boxes, glass bottles, plastic jugs, cans or other recyclable materials. If your recycling cart fills up, simply place the extras in a can or cardboard box labeled “recycling” and set it next to your recycling cart for free collection. Boxes will be taken, but personal containers will be left behind. You can also drop off a wide range of recyclables at Bow Lake Recycling Center located at 18800 Orillia Road S., Tukwila.

Holiday trees: Real holiday trees are picked up for free from all Federal Way residents on your neighborhood collection day between Dec. 26 and Jan. 11. Remove lights and ornaments, and cut into sections if more than 6 feet. Place trees in your yard waste cart if possible. Otherwise, set near carts to make collection easy. If you struggle getting it out to the curb, the driver will struggle getting it in the truck!

Apartments, condos and mobile home parks with central garbage services will have holiday tree pickup on Wednesday, Jan. 2 and 9. Please ensure all trees are in a central location for collection.

Clothing, shoes, toys and decorations: Donate your unwanted clothing, shoes, toys, games, decorations and household items to a local second-hand store. Ripped, stained and torn clothing and linens can be recycled for free through the ThreadCycle program at Goodwill located at 32521 Pacific Highway S. or Deseret Industries located at 2200 S. 320th St. Visit kingcounty.gov/Threadcycle for more details.

Styrofoam and packing peanuts: White Styrofoam blocks and packing peanuts can be dropped off for free recycling at Styro Recycle located at 23418 68th Ave. S., Kent in the “Park 234” warehouse. While there, you can also drop off excess cardboard, bubble wrap, plastic bags and clean takeout containers. Visit StyroRecycle.com for more details.

TVs and computers: Drop off televisions, computers, monitors, laptops and tablets – working or not – at Goodwill or Deseret Industries for free recycling through the E-Cycle Washington program. Other non-working electronics are accepted at the city’s recycling event on April 20 at Wild Waves parking lot.

Cooking oil: Recycle used cooking oil in the black tank at French Lake Dog Park, 31531 1st Ave. S. The black tank is located on the right as you drive in. This oil is turned into biodiesel locally.

Food: Consider freezing or giving away excess food instead of placing it in the garbage. Food scraps and spoiled food can be placed in your yard waste cart to be composted locally. Place food scraps in a paper sack, wrap in newspaper or layer with yard waste to help keep your cart clean.

Give it away: Consider posting an online ad to give away your unwanted items. You will be amazed what other people might want. Free postings can be placed on Craigslist, Facebook Buy Nothing Group, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or Nextdoor.

Garbage: If you can’t recycle or give away your bulky items, then you will need to pay to dispose of them as garbage. The two closest King County disposal sites are: “Bow Lake” located at 18800 Orillia Road S., Tukwila; and “Algona” located at 35315 W. Valley Highway, Algona. Hours, rates and restrictions can be found at kingcounty.gov/SolidWaste.

Snow delay: Waste Management will post updates if weather conditions prevent safe collection of garbage on-line at wmnorthwest.com/WeatherBoard.

For more recycling information, visit cityoffederalway.com/Recycling or contact Jeanette Brizendine, recycling project manager, at 253-835-2771 or recycle@cityoffederalway.com.