Where do Christmas trees go?

Most councils run a January collection or drop-off points for real trees, which are shredded into chippings for parks and paths. Take every scrap of decoration off first — tinsel and lametta wreck a shredder and contaminate the chip. Flocked and artificially snowed trees are usually refused because the coating is plastic. Artificial trees are mixed PVC and steel with no recycling route, so the only meaningful improvement is using one for many years and passing it on rather than binning it.

How to prepare it

1. Strip every decoration, hook and strand of tinsel.
2. Cut the tree down if your collection has a size limit.
3. Take the pot and stand off; they are not part of the green waste.

What not to do

• Never leave decorations on a tree going for chipping.
• Never put an artificial tree in the recycling; it is PVC and steel bonded together.

Kerbside collection rules genuinely vary by council and county, and local rules always win over general guidance. The reasoning above is what transfers — if your service differs, it will usually be for a reason described here.

Other things that go to garden waste collection

• Grass cuttings, prunings and leaves Garden waste collection or home composting. Keep soil, stones and treated timber out of it.