1000 Flowers for the Planet - #399 Dispose of your Xmas Tree Responsibly

1000 Flowers for the Planet - #399 Dispose of your Xmas Tree Responsibly

Another disposal task after Christmas is that large tree you cheerfully brought into the house a few weeks ago, covered in baubles and tinsel, draped in lights and placed lots of beautifully wrapped present beneath. Now it’s a bit worn, the needles have dropped all over the floor, the cat has climbed it once too often and you just want the darn thing outta there! It’s time to think about where it goes – preferably somewhere more thoughtful than your neighbour’s front nature strip or hidden at the back of the garden bed at your local park (not acceptable). Yep! You bought it, you have to dispose of it responsibly. Some councils offer a mulching service, which is very useful. Otherwise, the pine needles make very good mulch in your own garden, particularly for acid soils – gardenias, rhododendrons, hydrangeas. You’ll still have the branches and trunk to be rid of, but less mess to tote around. If someone in the neighbourhood owns a mulcher, suggest they have a special mulching day and charge a nominal fee per Christmas tree. This may even promote some neighbourly spirit and good cheer. You may have to take it away yourself to a recycling facility or waste transfer station where they take garden waste and turn into mulch. Finally, if you’re really lucky you have a kerbside waste collection for green material into which you can put your Christmas tree – chopped up of course. Make sure the Christmas clean up is truly clean, that you think about your actions, and those responsible actions become a routine part of your holiday traditions.