Where to Get Rid of Your Christmas Tree
We love them but once January 6th comes round we don't want them hanging around
With this in mind, it is probably a bit late for the real-versus-fake Christmas tree debate. In case you missed out, the consensus is that real trees are a more environmentally friendly option than artificial ones because the latter are generally made of non-recyclable materials and have a greater carbon footprint in terms of production and shipping. If you opted for an artificial tree, the best thing to do is keep on using it for as long as possible, or take it to a charity shop for someone else to enjoy.
For those with a real tree, the question then is if its roots are intact. If they are, the most eco-friendly choice you can make is to keep it stowed in the garden for next year. Simply replant it into a larger pot, pop it outside in your garden, water it regularly and watch it grow.
Alternatively, the green fingered may also want to reap the rewards of recycling their tree themselves. From mulching the needles to chopping the tree with secateurs and making wood chip compost, there are plenty of ways to make use of your old tree in your own garden. However, even if you’re lucky enough to have a wood burning stove in your home, never burn a dried out Christmas tree as they are extremely flammable and can quickly burn out of control.
Of course, as admirable as they may be, these options won’t always be practical. In this case, there are lots of charities that use this time of year as an opportunity to fundraise. In return for a donation (usually the recommended amount is £10–£20) they will recycle your tree for you.
If you live in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and your tree is less than five feet (or you can trim it down to that) simply put it out next to your brown bin to be collected over the course of January. Lucky for some!
Finally, if none of these apply, your best option is to take your tree to the garden section of your local tip/ recycling centre. Make sure to confirm that they will accept trees before you set out.
And to make the choice easier, here are are few places that are accepting or collecting trees across the North East and Yorkshire this year.
St Oswald's Hospice, Newcastle
Collections: 4th–20th January (or from 6th if you specify that you’d like your tree for twelfth night)
Save yourself the hassle of a trip to the tip, be kind to the planet and help raise money for a good cause, what could be better? St Oswald’s Hospice will collect your tree and recycle it, just fill out the form on their website to secure your slot.
St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Durham
Collections: 8th–28th January
For a donation of your choice, volunteers at St Cuthbert’s Hospice will be collecting trees across Durham this January. The only thing they ask is that you try to keep your tree under eight foot, and (as always) keep ahold of your decorations – or take them to one of their shops for someone else to enjoy next Christmas!
Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, Sheffield
Collections: 6th–18th January, suggested £15 donation
With a selection of collection partners, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice collect thousands of Christmas trees each year which are chipped to help grow new saplings, donated to forest schools, or given to the animals at Yorkshire Wildlife Park to play with.
Wakefield Hospice
Collections: 7th–14th January
For a donation of £15, Wakefield Hospice will take the hassle out of your Christmas clean up. Your tree will be collected from outside your property, and taken to Woolley Christmas Tree Farm where it will be chipped. The chippings are then used to help grow new trees for future Christmases.
Rooted, Todmorden
Collections: 1st and 2nd January
For those who chose the sustainable option of renting a Christmas tree from Rooted this year, they will come back at the beginning of January to collect it free of charge. The trees are then replanted in Rooted’s field, ready to be used again in next year’s celebrations.
Ripponden Christmas Tree Farm, Sowerby Bridge
Collections: 2nd–12th January
Priced according to postcode and size of tree, Ripponden Christmas Tree Farm offer a local recycling collection service. Simply email or call to book your collection and make sure your tree is outside of your property by 9am on the appointed day.
justhelping.org.uk
Just Helping works in partnership with local charities to coordinate an annual tree-cycling event across the country. To check if there will be collections in your area, and to register your tree, visit their website. These are the charities that will be taking part in the North East and Yorkshire this year:
St Leonards Hospice, York
Collections: 7th–8th January
The Kirkwood, Huddersfield
Collections: 11th–14th Jan
The Prince of Wales Hospice, Wakefield
Collections: 15th–17th jan
Focus4Hope, Calderdale
Collections: 11th Jan–14th Jan
Dove House Hospice, Hull
Collections: 6th January–7th January
Sheffield Hospitals Charity
Collections: 11th–14th January
Rotherham Hospice
Collections: 11th–13th January
Tynedale Hospice at Home, Northumberland
Collections: 11th–12th January
Registrations close 7th January
Teesside Hospice, Middlesbrough
Collections: 11th –13th January
Registrations close 7th January
