The UK sells around 6-8 million real Christmas trees each year. According to estimates, around 160,000 tonnes of Christmas-tree material is dumped each January. Contamination on trees such as leftover decorations remains a key barrier to the effective recycling of trees.
Waste-management specialist Eva Preston from WSR Recycling explains that this is a serious issue:
“Seeing that hundreds of thousands of tonnes of Christmas trees are still ending up as waste each year is concerning,” says Preston. “Even simple things, like leaving tinsel or baubles on the tree, can prevent it from being recycled properly. Small changes at home can make a big difference in keeping these trees out of landfill.
Eva Preston then went on to share their top tips on how to recycle your Christmas tree.
1. Remove all decorations
“Even a single strand of tinsel, wire, or a bauble can prevent a tree from being recycled. Make sure the tree is completely free of decorations before putting it out for collection.”
This simple step ensures the tree can be processed efficiently and turned into mulch or compost, rather than being rejected.
2. Keep the tree upright and accessible
“Place your tree somewhere it’s easy to collect and avoid leaning it against bins or walls. This makes it safer and simpler for recycling crews to handle.”
An accessible tree speeds up collection and reduces the risk of damage or accidents during transport.
3. Check local collection schedules
“Different councils collect trees at different times, so find out when your collection week is. If you miss the window, take it to a local drop-off point if possible.”
Being aware of collection dates ensures your tree is recycled promptly and doesn’t sit out and start to decompose.
4. Consider alternative uses
“Even if your tree isn’t collected immediately, you can reuse it at home. Branches can be chipped for garden mulch, used in compost, or even as shelter for wildlife in your garden.”
Repurposing parts of the tree gives it a second life and benefits your garden and local wildlife.
5. If you have an artificial tree, use it for as long as possible
“Artificial trees carry a bigger carbon footprint when produced. Keeping and reusing them for many years reduces their environmental impact.”
Using an artificial tree for multiple Christmases reduces the environmental cost compared to frequent replacements.
Eva concluded by saying “A recycled tree has a second use, whether it’s turned into compost, woodchip, or used in flood-prevention projects in some regions. When it goes to landfill, it simply becomes wasted potential.”
