It's time to recycle Christmas

I counted more than ten Christmas trees slung out onto the streets of London as I walked to work this morning – and that was in the space of about ten minutes.  The sorry looking trees littered the pavements and, in some parts, meant having to walk on the road to get round them. Some of them have been there for days; others were newly dumped over the weekend.

The worst thing about seeing these trees is that although some of them were brown and broken, others were still green, bushy and healthy looking.  What a waste.  These once colourfully decorated and brightly lit trees that were the centre piece of festive houses across the city are now strewn on the streets like discarded cigarette butts.  It’s just another addition to January that reinstates the fact that it’s one of the year’s most depressing months.  Surely these trees must have a better fate?  And surely London’s pavements won’t be covered all year round by the pitiful looking objects.

Courtesy of Douglas E Welch - WelchWrite.com

Twitter gave me the answer to these questions as I got into the office...well, for London’s borough of Lambeth anyway!  That’s right.  Lambeth Council is offering a Christmas tree recycling service from 9 – 22 January 2012, between 9am and 3pm.  Apparently, this borough alone throws out 250 tonnes of Christmas trees every year so the council’s scheme is certainly a meaningful one.  To add to this statistic, Lambeth Council has reported that in the UK we use enough wrapping paper to stretch nine times around the equator.  Shocking.

Recycle those trees

The recycling service allows Lambeth residents living in kerbside properties to leave their Christmas trees with their refuse bins for pick up by the council.  Those living in non kerbside properties can recycle their trees at various sites, including:

• Clapham Common, Windmill Drive SW4
• Kennington Park, Bolton Crescent entrance SE5
• Streatham Common, upper car park SW16.

Christmas trees will also be accepted at Lambeth Reuse and Recycling Centre, Vale Street SE27 on Monday, Thursday and Friday from 7.30am to 4.30pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 5pm.  You can find more details here: http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/News/2011/MakeReducingYourWasteAndRecyclingYourNewYearsResolution.htm

So, what are you waiting for Lambeth residents?  Let’s get those trees recycled and do our bit for the environment.

Peace, love and recycled pizza

What On Earth