Christmas tree recycling

When choosing a Christmas tree, there are several sustainable options you could consider:

Real trees

• rent a potted tree from a local supplier
• buy a potted Christmas tree – after Christmas, remove decorations and move it outside to grow for future use year after year
• use an existing live, potted plant or tree at home – it doesn’t need to be a traditional spruce-shape Christmas tree
• if you choose a real chopped tree, look for locally grown trees which will have a lower carbon footprint than imported ones

Remember it is your responsibility to dispose of real Christmas trees properly. You can also:

• home compost your tree
• chop your tree up to make firewood
• enrich your soil with pine needles
• use it to create a shelter for insects and birds

For more information, visit Six easy ways to re-use your Christmas Tree – Soil Association.

Artificial trees

If you want an artificial tree, try buying a second-hand one that you can re-use for years to come. Visit local charity shops or check second-hand sites for artificial Christmas trees in a good condition. You can check websites such as:

• Freecycle
• Facebook Marketplace
• Ebay
• Gumtree

You could also get creative and use household items to create a unique Christmas tree, for example from books or reclaimed wood.