Recycle your Christmas tree – but please use official sites

Residents keen to recycle their Christmas trees are being reminded to only drop them off at official collection sites after dozens were dumped across the city.

We have set up 23 recycling points where residents can leave their trees for our staff to collect and compost.

These will remain open until 31 January, giving people plenty of time to take their tree along to one if they have a real tree and have yet to dispose of it.

Risk of fines for fly-tipping

Dozens of trees, however, have instead been left out at non-collection sites, placing additional strain on our wider refuse services and putting the owner at risk of a fine for fly-tipping.

Councillor Tim Rowkins, Cabinet member for Net Zero and Environmental Services, said: “It has been brilliant to see so many people recycle their Christmas trees, and we have experienced high demand at all our official sites.

“Our thanks go to everyone who has taken their tree along to one of these sites, but I would appeal to those who have not yet disposed of their tree to only use these sites and not leave them in other locations.

“We have a collection schedule for the official sites, with extra resources in place to keep them as clear as possible and meet the high demand.”

Trees left near bins can impact accessibility

Councillor Rowkins continued: “But we have also seen a lot of trees left on roadsides, alongside communal bins, or in parks and open spaces.

“If we have to divert staff to clear trees on an ad hoc basis from these locations, then those staff can’t do their usual work to keep the city clean, and in most cases will mean the trees are not recycled.

“It can also impact the accessibility of pavements near our communal bins and potentially cause problems for motorists and pedestrians.

“We’re really keen to help recycle as many real Christmas trees as we can but need residents to do their bit by taking them to the correct place.”

Search official collection points

Residents can find their nearest Christmas tree collection point on our website: Christmas tree recycling points | Brighton & Hove City Council.

They can also be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Real trees are also able to be placed inside garden waste collection bins where residents are signed up to the service.