Taking down your Christmas tree marks the end of the festive season, but what do you do with your Christmas tree once you’ve taken it down? Disposing of a real Christmas tree can be challenging but it’s essential to do so responsibly.
If your tree is not reused or recycled, it can end up in a landfill which is costly to both the environment and the taxpayer. In this article, we will run through what to do with real Christmas trees and how to dispose of a fake Christmas tree that is past its best! There are many options to consider when it comes to getting rid of your Christmas tree, so keep reading to find out the most suitable option for you!
How to dispose of Christmas trees
If your Christmas tree spot is in front of a radiator or you don’t want to worry about the hassle of vacuuming up needles every day throughout December, it is likely that you have an artificial Christmas tree. These plastic trees are much better for your wallet as they last for years before needing to be repurchased, and they can often look as good as the real deal. However, if yours is starting to look a bit on the tatty side, or you’ve decided you want to purchase a real tree every year from now on, it might be time to get rid!
But how do you dispose of a fake Christmas tree? Let’s look at some of the best ways to get rid of your artificial Christmas tree!
Take it to landfill
Unfortunately, artificial christmas trees are made from a mixture of materials that are difficult to separate, and so cannot be recycled. Throwing your tree in landfill should be a last resort because artificial trees can take over 500 years to decompose, releasing toxins that leach into the soil and groundwater. When taking an artificial christmas tree to landfill, be sure to remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights and other non organic decorative materials on your tree.
Throw it in a skip
Artificial christmas trees can be thrown in general waste skips, however they are non recyclable and should be disposed of properly where possible. Read more about how to choose the right skip for your requirements here.
Take it to the charity shop
If your tree is still in good condition, it can be donated to a charity shop for reuse or resale. This is a great way to reduce the amount of waste in landfill. Be sure to check the condition of your tree, ensuring it is complete including the stand and base. If the branches are broken or in poor condition, you may want to consider repurposing it instead.
Sell it
Once you feel you have made the most of your artificial christmas tree, you can try selling it. This way it can be reused or repurposed to avoid it going to landfill.
How to dispose of a real Christmas tree
With global warming at the forefront of everyone’s mind, you might be wondering what to do with real Christmas trees come the end of the festive season. Luckily, real Christmas trees can be disposed of in many different environmentally-friendly ways. Common Christmas tree recycling methods include taking your tree to a recycling centre or partaking in other composting methods.
Recycling Centres
Taking your old Christmas tree to a local recycling centre is an easy and environmentally responsible way to dispose of your tree. Many centres repurpose the trees and make them into wood chips for paths or convert them into soil – a process you can even try at home!
Reusing your Christmas tree
There are a number of different ways you can reuse your Christmas tree once it’s past its best!
- Wood Chip mulch
Converting your old Christmas tree into wood chip mulch can be done by putting it through a shredder. Once shredded, leave them for a few months to rot down before using them to mulch around trees and shrubs.
- Mulch from the needles
You can collect your Christmas tree needles by leaving your tree outside on a patio area until the needles fall off, before collecting them to use as mulch for acid-loving plants.
- Frame for climbing plants
Plant the bare tree in your flowerbed so that climbers such as sweet peas can climb up it. Twiggy branches can be used as plant supports.
- Wildlife shelters
Use your old Christmas tree to create bug homes. Trim the twigs and bundle them together before hanging them in a bush for bugs to hide in. Or you could chop the trunk into pieces to create more places for bugs to reside in.
- Insulation for tender plants
Chop large branches from your old Christmas tree and lay them on the surface of the soil to protect plants from frost in the winter.
Other disposal methods
Let it rot
Unlike many other types of timber, real Christmas trees are free from wood preservatives, meaning that the soft wood rots away, disappearing into the soil within a year or two. The rotting tree fragments support many insects and other wildlife as well as improving the soil and feeding nearby plants.
Chop it and stack it
If you are unable to access a garden shredder, you can chop up your old Christmas tree and store it in the corner of your garden where it will slowly break down, feeding and sheltering wildlife as it decays.
Create a dead hedge
Another wildlife-friendly option is to create a dead hedge which is made up of prunings held in place with posts.
How EJ Shanley can help
If recycling at home isn’t an option, EJ Shanley has got you covered! We offer a number of different waste disposal methods, including skips and scrap metal recycling to help you clear your unwanted things.
We work hard to recycle and offer various services to help you be environmentally friendly. Visit our recycling centres in Warminster and Trowbridge to responsibly dispose of your tree and contribute to a healthier environment. Contact us today and let us make your post-christmas cleanup hassle-free and sustainable!
