Kent residents urged to recycle Christmas trees and festive waste
Cabinet member for environment highlights reuse and charity collection options
As the festive season winds down, residents across Kent are being encouraged to recycle their Christmas trees and responsibly manage waste as they prepare to ring in the New Year.
Charities including Hospice in the Weald, Pilgrims Hospices, and Heart of Kent are offering Christmas tree collection and recycling services for a small fee, which goes toward their vital work.
David Wimble, Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, shared his advice during a visit to Allington Recycling Centre.
“Christmas trees shouldn’t be discarded or fly-tipped along roadsides—it’s costly to the taxpayer, damaging for the environment, and unfair on landowners who have to bear the initial cost of clearing it,” Wimble explained. “Instead, residents can donate trees to a charity. Many hospices and councils will mulch them for use as biodegradable fuel or landscaping material.”
Councillor Wimble stressed that people should ensure all decorations are removed from their trees before recycling them and highlighted the benefit of charity collection services. “It might cost between £5 and £10, but they’ll pick up your tree, sparing you the mess of transporting it yourself. It’s also a great way to give back post-Christmas while disposing of trees responsibly.”
Fly-tipping and the cost to Kent
Illegal waste disposal issues, including fly-tipping, continue to impact Kent’s environment and finances. Wimble said, “Fly-tipping is incredibly irresponsible and comes at a cost to everyone. Picking up waste dumped on roads or ditches can cost landowners and councils tens of thousands. Disposing of waste responsibly is better for the environment and reduces the strain on council budgets, which ultimately saves taxpayers.”
Top tips for recycling festive waste
Councillor Wimble also provided practical advice for managing other types of holiday waste:
- Christmas wrapping paper: Test if it’s recyclable by crunching paper into a ball. If it stays scrunched, it can be recycled; if it springs back, it contains plastic and should go in general rubbish.
- Food waste: Use food recycling bins for all food waste, including turkey carcasses and bones. Wimble explained, “Proper food waste recycling helps avoid contamination, which is essential to managing waste efficiently.”
- Containers and packaging: Rinse out any food residue to prevent contamination before recycling. Items with food left inside can’t be processed properly, adding costs to disposal services.
Visit reuse centres for repurposing
At Allington Recycling Centre, pre-loved items are saved from disposal and sold at affordable prices, making them perfect for those aiming to shop sustainably during tough times. “It’s like shopping in second-hand stores, but on a much larger scale,” Councillor Wimble said.
He shared his enthusiasm for reuse efforts, saying, “We’ve been able to provide items ranging from children’s bikes to furniture for people setting up a new home—all at reasonable prices. It’s part of the circular economy, reducing waste while helping local residents save money.”
Councillor Wimble’s pledge to Kent residents includes expanding reuse centres over the coming years to promote both sustainability and support for local charities. “For every ton we avoid sending to incineration, we save £165. Reuse sites raise money for children’s charities and help keep council tax costs down. It’s good for the environment and Kent communities,” he added.
Help local charities recycle your Christmas tree
Charities such as Pilgrims Hospices, Heart of Kent Hospice, and Hospice in the Weald offer convenient tree collection services for Kent residents. Trees are mulched and sold for environmentally friendly uses, raising funds for charitable work. Residents can sign up for the service online and make responsibly disposing of festive waste part of their seasonal giving.
For waste tips or to find details of recycling services near you, visit Kent County Council’s website.