Replace Your Christmas Tree

We produce 30% more waste at Christmas than at any other time of the year, many of these being trees. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, approximately 50,000 trees are cut down just to produce the paper we need to wrap presents.

Christmas Tree Waste

When Christmas is over and we have to bid goodbye to our trees, we often throw away our natural ones. Over 160,000 tonnes are thrown away, and rotting trees release over 100,000 tonnes of methane.

But do not let that put you off buying a real tree! Remember that an artificial trees need to be used for 10 years to have a lower environmental impact than a real tree.

Trees are crucial for fighting climate change, so what can we do to reduce waste this Christmas?

Cutting Down Christmas Waste

The best thing to do is to recycle your real Christmas tree; check your local authority’s website to see when they will be collecting Christmas trees. When trees are sent to landfill, they start to decompose anaerobically, which means without air, and this produces methane. Sending trees to be composted by the council will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases being released.

If your council does not offer this service, or you would like to do something to replace the paper you used to wrap presents, you can plant a tree with us. By donating just £5, you will plant a tree in Scotland and seeds for the next spring. We will also send you a certificate to celebrate your purchase.