If you are enjoying a real Christmas tree this year remember to recycle it after all the festivities. With The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) estimating that around 7 million real trees are bought each year by UK households. So its best to look after it and your Christmas tree recycling is responsible.
Real Christmas Tree Care
To keep it at its best, the top tips from the forestry commission are keep it watered and keep it not too hot, not too cold. Firstly, water is key to keeping your tree alive throughout Christmas and New Year. Make sure you choose a sturdy stand that can hold a good amount of liquid. Your Christmas tree needs to be kept in water at all times, so finding a base with a good well that you can easily access is important. Secondly, not too hot and not too cold as your tree’s natural habitat at this time of year is out in the cold air. Minimize the shock of relocation and keep your tree happy by placing it a good distance from the radiator and other heat sources. For more Tips on Christmas tree care from the Forestry commission.
So once the festivities are over, get your New Year off to a green start by recycling your Christmas tree. In the borough of Ealing, Real Christmas tree collections will run between Monday 6 and 24 January 2025 either at the kerbside, at a local park or a reuse centre, depending on where you live.
Most Sustainable Christmas Tree?
The question of whether a real or artificial tree is better for the environment is a much discussed issue. The Carbon Trust unfortunately, confirms there is no one right answer. The most sustainable choice will depend on the tree, your plans for reuse, then options for disposal. They do confirm that if you dispose of your Real Christmas tree, where they are chipped to be used as mulch soil covering it will significantly reduce the carbon footprint by up to 80%. Giving you a good reason to recycle it responsibly after Christmas.
For more sustainable Christmas tips go see our ActForEaling Cut the Crap exhibition at Questors Theatre for December. It gives us solutions on how to reduce our waste and look after our precious resources better.
Recycling your Christmas Tree
During January 2025 around Ealing, you can dispose of your Ealing Christmas tree recycling either by:
- Leaving your real Christmas tree on the front edge of your property, to have it taken away for recycling on the same day as your rubbish collection (black bin) each alternate week.
- Take your real Christmas trees to the council parks and open spaces listed below until the end of January 2025.
- Book Greenford reuse and recycling centre, Greenford Road, UB6 9AP. Its essential to pre-book an appointment online via the council’s website for the Greenford Reuse and recycling centre.
Trees must be no taller than 6 fet, free of decorations, and trunks should not exceed 20cm in diameter. The service is in place for real trees only and not synthetic ones.
For a full list of Recycling and waste collections for the holiday period.
Tree Collection Points around Ealing borough
Drop off you Christmas trees at one of these Christmas Tree collection points. If you live in a flat or use a communal bin service, take your real tree to one of these outdoor drop-off locations as there is no kerbside collection available. These points are spread over all parts of the Borough of Ealing including Acton, Ealing Broadway, Hanwell, Greenford, Northolt, Southall and Perivale. When dropping off trees put them only in the designated areas and make sure the trees do not block access, pathways or roads. Open until Friday 24 January, these are the drop off points:
- Acton Park
- Berkeley Fields (Berkeley Avenue)
- Churchfields Park Hanwell
- Cleveland Park
- Ealing Central Sports Ground (Horsenden Lane South)
- Ealing Common (Junction of Grange Road and The Common)
- Elthorne Park (Boston Road)
- Islip Manor Park (Eastcote Lane)
- North Acton Playing Fields
- Perivale Park (Cowgate Road)
- Pitshanger Park
- Ravenor Park (Oldfield Lane South and Ruislip Road)
- Rectory Park (Parkfield Drive)
- Southall Park (Green Drive)
- Southfields Recreation Ground (Southfield Road)
- Spikes Bridge Park (West Avenue)
- Springfield Gardens (Rosemont Road)
- Walpole Park (Lammas Park Gardens)
For full details of collections go to Start 2025 by recycling your Christmas tree.
What happens to the Christmas trees collected?
The Christmas trees will be collected by Ealing Council and recycled into mulch, serving as a valuable resource for parks and allotments throughout Ealing. Mulch is a protective covering, typically composed of organic materials like leaves, straw, or shredded bark, spread over the soil’s surface around plants. It helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature, and provide nutrients as it decomposes.
Follow Ealing Recycling for more tips https://www.facebook.com/ealingrecycling
