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Since North Somerset Council launched the programme in December 2020, over:
- £87,000 has been raised for local charities,
- 12,000 trees have been repurposed and recycled, and
- 190 tonnes of carbon emissions have been saved.
People can repurpose their trees with Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall, or donate them to St Peter’s Hospice, headquartered in Long Ashton, or Weston Hospicecare.
Most of the trees are chipped for land regeneration and some are donated for animal enrichment within their habitat.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is accepting trees between Wednesday 3 and Sunday 21 January. Trees should be left in the main car park strictly during these dates and zoo opening times only (10.30am to 4pm).
Weston Hospicecare’s Pines for Pounds will collect trees in return for a donation on Saturday 6 January in the BS22, BS23, BS24, BS25, BS26, BS27, BS29, BS40, BS49, TA8 and TA9 postcode areas.
St Peter’s Hospice will collect trees in return for a donation on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 January from selected postcodes across Clevedon, Nailsea, Portishead and Bristol: BS4, BS5, BS7, BS9, BS15, BS16, BS20, BS21, BS30, BS41 and BS48. Tree collection must be prebooked online at www.stpetershospice.org/treecollection.
Councillor Annemieke Waite, North Somerset Council’s executive member for climate, waste and sustainability, said: "It’s quite remarkable that these North Somerset Christmas ‘tree-cycling’ schemes have raised over £87,000 for local charities over the last three years. I’m therefore delighted that we’re supporting the schemes again this year. Not only do they provide a brilliant way for people to support local communities and charities, they also follow a sustainable approach, which is increasingly important for all of us to consider.
“Instead of becoming another waste item after the festive period, it’s positive that the trees are repurposed and used again as a valuable resource. As this is all done locally, it helps cut down on transportation and carbon emissions, while supporting our commitment to tackle the climate emergency.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all the partners for their hard work in making this happen. A special mention must go to our contractor Glendale for once again donating their time and resource to helping complete the chipping.”
Christmas trees can also be taken to recycling centres where they will be treated as garden waste. Check the council’s website for advice and opening times www.n-somerset.gov.uk/recyclingcentres.
Residents signed up to the garden waste collection service can also put their trees out for collection when the service resumes from Monday 15 January 2024. Trees can either be chopped up and put in green garden waste bins or left whole alongside the bin. They can be up to two metres in length and must have the pot and all decorations removed.
More information, including the ways a real Christmas tree is a more sustainable, lower-emission choice, can be found on the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/christmas-recycling.
For regular updates and news, follow North Somerset’s Recycling and Waste team on social media at Facebook (nsrecyclingandwaste) and Twitter (ns_recycling).