When the decorations are down, the turkey has been chomped and the festivities are over, it’s finally time to clear up those pesky pine needles.
But don’t just toss your real Christmas tree in the general waste bin. There are far better and greener ways to dispose of it in Greater Manchester.
When trees are sent to landfill, they take up space and decompose slowly, releasing methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas. Recycling helps avoid this.
The good news is you can take your Christmas tree to any of our Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM) Household Waste Recycling Centres for free, along with any unwanted decorations.
But there are also a few ways you can recycle your real Christmas tree without bringing it to one of our centres.
You can register to have it collected from your doorstep in exchange for a small donation to charity through the organisation Just Helping. You can sign up between November 15 and January 10 every year.
All trees collected are recycled into mulch for local green spaces, helping to reduce waste and emissions.
If you’re transporting your tree in a van, pick-up truck or twin-axle trailer, you need a permit to enter our site. It’s free and quick to apply for, but do this in advance so you’re not held up when you arrive.
Once at the centre, our team will help you dispose of your tree correctly, so it can be recycled or composted.
Real trees are usually shredded into woodchips and used in local parks and gardens – a great way to give back to nature after the festive season.
If you’re not sure where to go when you arrive at our centre, one of our friendly staff will be on hand to direct you to the correct container.
You can apply for a permit at: www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com/van-permit/
