By Junior Linden
Ever wondered what happens to discarded Christmas trees? This month Camden Council has been running a Christmas Tree recycle scheme across North London.
The scheme, which ran the 2nd to the 13th of January 2020, has been put together by the council’s environmental services to help promote a greener London and is provided by Veolia.
Drop-off points for the old Christmas Trees were set up around North London, providing a free service for residents living in the area.
The City of London Corporation (COL), who work closely with Camden Council hosted three tree drop-off points around Hampstead Heath at East Heath Road carpark, Jack Straw’s carpark and Millfield Lane.
Danny Murphy, a representative from COL, said that there were over 1500 trees dropped off between the three sites.
He told Holloway Express: “The trees are taken away and ran through a woodchipper which is then used for the cross country run tracks which run through the Heath.”
The rest of the woodchip is used to retain moisture and water around the existent trees throughout the park.
He said that COL likes to help local residents by saving them cash on fuel bills, so they cut the tree bases into logs for log fires to be used at home or in local businesses, so that they can warm properties using natural resources.
James Dunlop, Senior Environmental Officer from Camden Council said: “It is a well-established approach in the borough and meant to be an easy, effective and sustainable way for residents to recycle their real Christmas tree.”
He also said: “We did increase the number of trees recycled last year – while decreasing the number of trees reported as dumped on the street.
Residents are asked to dispose of their Christmas tree responsibly as illegally dumping it on the street is fly-tipping, and could result in a £400 on-the-spot fine.
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