Cherwell and Derby are among local authorities issuing guidance to residents this week on how to recycle real and artificial Christmas trees after the festive season. And, retailer B&Q has commented to letsrecycle.com that most artificial trees are recyclable.
B&Q has advised that artificial Christmas trees could be offered for reuse and they can be recycled (picture: B&Q)
Cherwell district council reminded residents that it collects real Christmas for recycling and that artificial trees are recycled as scrap metal at the Ardley Fields recycling centre.
The council acknowledged that based on manufacturing, growing, transportation and disposal, real trees have a ‘much smaller impact’ on the environment. It advised that real trees should be placed into or next to the brown bin and those over six feet long should be chopped in half for collection.
But Cherwell also noted that if artificial trees are reused over a number of years, their long-term impact can be reduced.
Impact
Cllr Debbie Pickford, Cherwell’s lead member for clean and green urged residents to bear in mind the environmental impacts of Christmas trees.
She said: “It couldn’t be easier to reduce the impact of Christmas trees. If it’s artificial, make sure to use it for as long as possible. If it’s real, choose a potted, locally grown one that will last a few years and has minimal transport costs.
“Potted trees can be planted out in the garden until the festive period comes around again and they are ready for reuse. If they won’t make it until next year, recycling through the brown bin service is the best way to reduce real trees’ environmental impact.”
Cllr Pickford added: “I would urge anyone who is thinking of throwing their artificial tree away before the end of its useful life to reconsider. But if they are doing so, the best option is to recycle them at the Ardley Fields recycling centre.”
At the Ardley Fields recycling centre, the metal stems and branches of artificial trees are salvaged and the metal recycled along with other scrap metal. Other materials used in the trees are treated as residual waste and sent for energy recovery at Viridor’s Ardley facility.
B&Q
A B&Q spokesperson said the retailer encouraged customers to maximise the potential of their artificial Christmas trees for recycling. “As the UK’s biggest provider of Christmas trees, we’re proud to help bring Christmas to life in households across the country. If customers are thinking of replacing their trees with new ones next year, we’d encourage them to consider free-cycling or donating their old trees to charity, so that they can continue to be enjoyed.
“The majority of our artificial trees are recyclable, so customers interested in recycling theirs can:
1. Call ahead to your local recycling centre to see whether artificial trees are accepted;
2. Remove all lighting and decorations as they interfere with the recycling process. If it is a pre-lit Christmas tree it will be classified as WEEE waste;
3. Disassemble your artificial tree, ensuring that the plastic and metal components are separated before transporting it to a recycling point.”
Derby has suggested that real Christmas tree trunks might be used for making toasters and noted that the trees can be replanted or recycled
Derby
Other local authorities have also issued advice on recycling Christmas trees, although none echoed the government’s controversial advice to burn the trees on bonfires (see letsrecycle.com story).
Derby city council provided residents with five creative options for recycling their tree, including making coasters out of the tree trunk.
According to the council, sawing slices off the trunk can make for unique looking coasters, although they need to be sanded down and sealed with varnish first to stop the sap leaking.
Other tips include ‘tree-cycling’ trees at the Raynesway household waste and recycling centre, replanting them or using the needles for mulch and compost.
Related links
B&Q
Cherwell district council
Derby city council
The post Councils and B&Q promote Christmas tree recycling appeared first on letsrecycle.com.
Source: letsrecycle.com Metal
