Time to tree-cycle?

Wednesday 28 December 2022

If you're already thinking about when to take the Christmas tree down then there are a few ways to ensure it is put to good use after you're done with it.

Real trees can be recycled for use in gardens across the island, or fed to goats and other animals.

Guernsey Waste is accepting real trees from today at the Chouet Green Waste Site and Longue Hougue Household Waste and Recycling Centre.

They can also be dropped off at Queux Plant Centre and Le Friquet Garden Centre.

Pictured: Tina Norman-Ross.

Once collected, the trees will be shredded on site before being composted along with all the island’s other green waste. That is then processed into a soil conditioner which will be available for gardeners to collect all year round from the Chouet Green Waste site. It will be free of charge.

Waste Prevention and Recycling Officer, Tina Norman-Ross said around 6,000 trees are recycling after every Christmas.

"The trees will certainly be put to good use and we hope that as many people as possible will consider recycling them. Not only is it great for the environment, it is also a very convenient way to dispose of them and we hope that having so many drop-off points makes this as easy as possible," she said.

"This could even make a great opportunity to spread good will by offering to recycle your neighbour’s tree at the same time!"

Anyone who would prefer to donate to charity and have their tree taken away from their home can call on the services of Josh Gabriel and his team of helpers who are raising money for the Smile for Georgie Foundation this year.

He said: "I'm certainly not one to wish away any festivities too soon, but thinking ahead to the not too distant future and the ever present twelfth night (or before) to recycle your Christmas Tree, I (along with my team of mostly willing helpers!) will be out and about collecting your Christmas Tree(s), saving you time, effort, those pine needles getting EVERYWHERE and potential scratches on your car!"

To use this service you're asked to donate at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joshgabriel and then email the organisers with your collection date and address.

All Christmas trees should be stripped of all tinsel, baubles and trimmings before being recycled.