Christmas is a joyous and wonderful time for everyone that celebrates, but the aftermath clean-up can be a bit of a nightmare. Every year the biggest clean-up decision is over what to do with the real Christmas Tree. In this blog post we will explain ways you can properly dispose of your Christmas tree without fly-tipping.
What is Fly-tipping?
Many may be tempted to dispose of the tree out of site amongst bushes, scrub and other trees. The main reason for this is that most people believe the Christmas tree is a natural resource and will therefore will turn into compost. However, leaving your real Christmas tree in any common land including on top of your garden wall is classed as fly-tipping.
Fly-tipping is the act of illegally putting waste; household, environmental or anything that could be classed as waste, in any place considered a common land. This is an offence that carries penalties of up to £50 000 and possibly even higher if case was heard in a crown court. Any persons found guilty of fly-tipping may be sentenced to a custodial sentence of up to 5 years’ imprisonment.
How to Properly Dispose of your Christmas tree
Below are several options to consider when thinking about how to disposing of your Christmas tree. However, every council in England is different so be sure to look on the relevant council website to view the options and resources available to you:
- Taking your Christmas tree, minus any decoration items, to the local tip. The council website should indicate the one that is closest to you.
- Some councils operate designated Christmas Tree Recycling Points, looking on the council website will show if this scheme is available in your area. This scheme allows your tree to be crushed up and used within woodland areas, parks or the countryside as compost to help the natural environment to grow.
- Always check before-hand as some councils allow the use of your environmental bin, sometimes called a green bin, when disposing of your Christmas tree.
- There may be an operation in your area carried out by the council for the collection of your Christmas tree and this may carry a charge.
- If you are still feeling festive and in the giving mood then asking a charity to come and collect you Christmas tree is always an option. For just a small donation, certain charities will come and collect your Christmas tree on a day you have booked. Some of examples of particular organisations that offer this service are as follows: St. Anne’s Hospice, St. Rocco’s Hospice and JustHelping.
We hope you found this information useful, and we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the forthcoming New Year.
If you have experienced fly-tipping on your own private property and require advice, please do not hesitate to get in touch and speak to an expert today.
