We're happy to collect your office Christmas tree in January 2024 after all the excitement is over – real Christmas trees only please as they'll be recycled into chips for use in gardens.

First Mile Christmas tree collection and recycling

Recycle your Christmas tree with First Mile. We will collect your tree on 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th January 2024. To book a collection, email customers@thefirstmile.co.uk or call 0333 300 3448 and choose your preferred collection date and collection address.

Christmas trees must be free of decorations and under 10 foot in height, taller trees can be chopped up before they're bagged, and should be left in an easily accessible location on collection day.

Here's a list of what can and can't be included.

What can be included?

  • Real Christmas trees up to 10 foot

  • Real Christmas trees over 10 foot, but have been chopped up

What should be kept out?

  • Artificial trees

  • Decorations and baubles

  • Christmas lights

We advise ordering your sack as soon as possible so your tree is ready for collection first thing in January. Order your sack and book your collection today!

When recycled, trees can be chipped into mulch, used in landscaping, or transformed into compost, contributing to the health of other plants and gardens. By recycling your Christmas tree, you are extending its life and reducing waste sent to landfills.

Why should you recycle Christmas trees?

Decomposing trees in landfills emit harmful greenhouse gases, so recycling them is responsible way to ensure your Christmas celebrations has a positive impact on the environment.

Every year, around 7 million trees go to landfills. The thousands of pine needles which fall off each tree also take around 3 times longer to decompose compared to the average tree leaf. When they rot in landfill they produce harmful methane gas, 25 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.

When recycled, trees can be chipped into mulch, used in landscaping, or transformed into compost, contributing to the health of other plants and gardens. By recycling your Christmas tree, you are extending its life and reducing waste sent to landfills.

Can you recycle an artificial tree?

Credit: Oak N4

Artificial Christmas trees can also be recycled with First Mile.

Once broken up, they go in your regular Mixed Recycling sack or bin collections. Once collected they'll be taken back to the Sacktory and sent to our recycling partners.

But if they're still in good condition, you can donate them to your nearest charity shop!

Christmas Tree recycling at home

Some local authorities will collect Christmas trees as household waste, while others have chosen to arrange drop off points, so it's worth checking online.

Most Christmas tree collection locations will be on a specific date set by your local authority, you can find yours using interactive maps.

Christmas Recycling with First Mile

First Mile will continue to collect throughout December and the new Year.

If there are any changes to your schedules, we'll be in touch to let you know. 

We have also set up a special Christmas Collections page to give you more information about collections over the festive period.