Over the past month, searches for ‘Christmas tree disposal near me‘ have soared 5,000% as millions of Christmas trees and decorations are about to be taken down.
To advise people of the best disposal methods for their tree, London house clearance experts Clear It Waste have revealed expert insight into how to properly dispose of your tree after Christmas, as around eight million real Christmas trees are disposed of each year in the UK, resulting in approximately 12,000 tonnes of waste.
Experts offer key advice on Christmas tree disposal
Data shows that thousands of tonnes of Christmas trees are still dumped each January. Be sure to check disposal options for your tree with your local council. This is the most common way, as almost all councils provide ways to recycle real Christmas trees, whether it is via a drop-off point, a local recycling centre, or in some cases a kerbside collection. Always check your local council’s website as the specifics and options can vary by borough.
Josh Clarke, spokesperson from Clear It Waste has provided some additional, vital advice:
“Whether you have a real tree that needs to be disposed of or an artificial tree that is looking worse for wear, correct disposal is vital both for safety and environmental reasons. Many people don’t realise that it is essential to completely clear the tree of any decorations so that it is completely bare.
“Even the smallest plastics left on branches of real trees can contaminate the disposal process. If possible, break the tree down into sections as this can make the disposal process easier (this can be simple for artificial trees that often come in sections).
“For artificial trees, consider donating it to a charity shop if it is still in good condition, or a community centre, so that it gets a longer life. But when a fake tree is no longer of use or beyond repair, it can often be taken to your nearest household waste and recycling centre. Artificial trees are made from mixed materials meaning they can’t go in household recycling bins, but waste sites can ensure they’re broken down and processed in the most appropriate way. You can also use waste disposal services but be sure to check that they hold a full waste carriers’ licence.
“Another important factor to note that many do not consider, is that if your artificial tree contains fibre-optic lighting it should be treated as electronic waste (WEEE). Putting your tree into the right waste process helps ensure that components like wiring and LED lights are recovered instead of landfilled, and are disposed of in the most appropriate and environmentally friendly way.”
