Free Christmas tree collections in Wolverhampton
Christmas trees will be removed for free as part of bin collections in Wolverhampton, it has been announced.
Wolverhampton City Council and its waste and recycling partner Amey Plc will be collecting the trees from outside homes across the city in January.
Households just need to put out there real Christmas tree alongside their black bin on their normal scheduled recycling day that falls between January 12 and 23.
People are asked to place the tree next to the bin and not inside it.
Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for city services, said: "We're delighted to be able to provide a free collection of people's real Christmas trees in January. It will mean people won't have to worry about taking it to the tip and is one less task during the busy new year to worry about.
"We would ask that people place it out on the kerbside alongside your black bin, but please don't put it inside the bin. It will be collected on people's scheduled recycling day between Jan 12 and 23."
Meanwhile, people can check their bin collection dates over the Christmas period by visiting www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/recycling.
The British Christmas Tree Growers' Association (BCTGA) estimates that in the last six years the total number being grown here in the UK has risen by as much as 20 per cent.
This is reflected in the proportion of British and imported trees being bought at shops and markets across the country.
Six years ago it was evenly split with approximately half being shipped in from Europe.
The association's members now say British-grown plants account for some 70 per cent of the total number of trees sold in the UK.
Harry Brightwell, secretary of the association, said: "People are much more conscious of environmental issues and the fact of buying a British grown tree usually means the transport is less."
Other local authorities around the UK have been offering Christmas tree collection points and composting advice for waste, and a number of DIY retailers and garden centres offer tree recycling services, so have a look on www.recyclenow.com and use the postcode locator to find one near you.
