How and Where to Recycle Your Christmas Tree in the North East and Yorkshire
Whether you have an artificial tree or a fresh one, there are a variety of ways to dispose of your Christmas tree at the end of the festive season
Real Christmas trees are the best and greenest option, however if you have opted for an artificial tree, while they can’t be recycled because of the materials they are made from, there are still ways you can help the environment. The first is to try to reuse the same one each year – even if you’re bored with the way it looks or just want to try something new, think: do you really need a new tree? If you do decide you no longer want your tree but it’s still in good condition, consider donating it to a charity shop to be reused by another family.
For a fresh tree, there are a lot more options. 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 fire in your house, never burn dried out Christmas tree as they are extremely flammable and can quickly get out of control.
Trees felled this year can also be taken to your local council’s Christmas tree recycling scheme. This involves local drop-off points or collections, and the trees are normally chipped and used as compost. Unfortunately, as Christmas trees are usually a non-native species, the Woodland Trust does not accept them as donations – even more reason to buy a British-grown tree next year – however another option is to take it to the garden waste section of the tip or to get in touch with local charities who will collect your tree for a small donation.
If your tree’s roots are still intact then it is possible to replant it. For those who bought a potted tree, simply replant it into a larger pot, pop it outside in your garden and watch it grow in time for next Christmas. If you don’t have a garden, there are plenty of Christmas farms who will accept trees with roots and replant them for you to come and collect next year and there are even places to rent trees now.
Here are nine places accepting or collecting trees in the North East and Yorkshire
Teesside Hospice
Thursday 8th–Sunday 11th January
Go green and support a local charity this year by registering your tree to be collected. Register your interest and make a donation by midnight on 4th January to have your tree chipped and recycled, reducing carbon emissions, all while contributing to an excellent cause.
teessidehospice.org
Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice
Monday 12th–Friday 23rd January
The popular Christmas tree recycling scheme is back for its fifth year running. Let them handle the post-festive chaos and schedule your collection with a minimum donation of only £15 to support many families and young people this Christmas. With a selection of collection partners, rest assured that your tree will be handled responsibly.
bluebellwood.org
Household Waste Recycling Centres
Christmas tree recycling points are located at most Household Recycling Centres so simply check online where your nearest location is and when they will be open. Here trees will often be made into chippings which can be used as mulch in gardens, just make sure to remove all lights, tinsel and decorations.
St Oswalds
Monday 5th–Wednesday 21st January
St Oswalds’ Christmas Tree-cycle is back for the seventh year running! 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. Last year they raised £81,924 by collecting more than 4000 trees – get involved and make this their best year yet.
stoswaldsuk.org
Durham County Council
Monday 5th–Friday 23rd January
For those who live in Durham, the county council will collect your tree directly from your house. When you book your collection they will tell you the week in which they will come, then just leave it in your front garden or driveway so they can access it. Trees over 10 feet must be cut into a manageable size.
durham.gov.uk
Wakefield Hospice
Wednesday 7th–Wednesday 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. Keep the Christmas spirit alive and give your tree a second life, as the chippings are used to help grow new trees for future Christmases.
wakefieldhospice.org
Ripponden Christmas Tree Farm
Friday 2nd–Friday 16th January
Working with Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and Focus 4 Hope, Ripponden Farm are running a tree recycling collection scheme. Collections are priced according to postcode and size of tree. Simply make sure your tree is outside of your property by 9am on the chosen date and they will do all of the hard work for you.
rippondenchristmastreefarm.com
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Bin collection days
Throughout the East Riding of Yorkshire, real Christmas trees without decorations can be placed next to brown bins for collection during January. If your tree is above five feet just make sure to cut it down so that it can fit into the collection vehicle.
eastriding.gov.uk
Sue Ryder, Leeds
Wednesday 7th–Tuesday 13th January
With little energy left at the end of the festive period, let the Sue Ryder foundation deal with the hassle of recycling your Christmas tree. Their team of friendly volunteers will collect direct from your front door and recycle it as biomass fuel or as chippings to be used as organic mulch in their hospice gardens. Improve your carbon footprint and support a great charity at the same time.
sueryder.org
