Tree-mendous recycling scheme

Rochdale borough is ready to recycle thousands of resident’s Christmas trees - with 23 sites set to take old firs, spruce and pines.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Cabinet Member for Place and Regulation, at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Around six million real Christmas trees* are bought each year in the UK, but unfortunately many of these are just thrown away at the end of the festive season, even though they can all be recycled.

“After removing all the decorations and the pot, real trees can be taken to one of 23 sites in the borough so residents can be assured that none of the trees collected will go to waste as they are all turned into compost.”

Last year, more than 4,000 trees weighing around 14.5 tonnes went from people’s living rooms to a local recycling facility.

Christmas trees can be dropped off at either of the borough’s two recycling centres at Chichester Street in Rochdale and Springvale in Middleton and also, from the 3 January to 17 January at locations in:

Rochdale:

• Gordon Riggs Garden Centre, Kingsway;
• Bolton Road (open space near Manley Road);
• Norden Bus Terminus Play Area, Edenfield Road;
• Norden Road, Bamford (opposite shopping precinct);
• All-in-One Garden Centre, Manchester Road, Castleton;
• Bentley Street, opposite Clarence Street, spare ground;
• Balderstone Park, Kirkholt;
• Caldershaw Road, open ground near school

Heywood:

• Hopwood Recreation Ground, Middleton Road;
• Darnhill, Sutherland Road (car park area by shops);
• Queen’s Park car park;
• Bank Top/Cherwell Avenue (open space)

Middleton:

• Alrington Woods car park ;
• Kirkway (just off Grimshaw Lane);
• Boarshaw Road Open Space;
• Truffet Park, Bowness Road;
• Hollins car park area

Pennines:

• Halifax Road, Smallbridge (off Howarth green);
• Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre;
• Hare Hill park car park;
• Wildhouse Lane (layby);
• Milnrow memorial park (car park)

Unfortunately, due to the combination of materials used to make an artificial tree they cannot be recycled. However, if it is still in good condition why not ask friends and family, advertise it on an exchange website or donate it to charity so someone else can use it.