Reduce, reuse and recycle at Christmas

This page is updated in December each year to show the current arrangements.

• Christmas tree recycling
  • Council services
  • Community groups
• Food waste
• Christmas cards
• Wrapping paper
• Unwanted presents

Christmas tree recycling

Why not consider buying a replantable tree within a pot in the first instance to avoid cutting down trees.

Help to cut carbon emissions and protect our parkland. When it is time to get rid of your Christmas tree, remember that it can be recycled and the bark shavings used in council gardens.

We offer a number of ways to recycle your Christmas tree in Haringey, but before you use any of them please remember to remove all lights and decorations.

Council services

Street collection:

We can collect your tree for free - simply place it next to your general waste bin on collection day.

Important: trees over 3 feet long (1 metre) should be cut in half otherwise they cannot be collected.

Communal Bin Properties:

We can collect your tree for free, simply leave your tree next to your communal waste container - you can do this until the end of January.

• If you live in a block with a communal chute, please do not put your Christmas tree down the chute

Important: trees over 3 feet long (1 metre) should be cut in half otherwise they cannot be collected.

Western Road Reuse and Recycling Centre:

Christmas trees can also be taken to Haringey's Reuse and Recycling Centre in Wood Green - Western Road, N22 6UG - please remember that you have to book your visit to the recycling centre in advance (external link).

• Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm (closed Christmas day, Boxing day and New Years day)

Designated drop-off sites within Haringey Parks:

Alternatively, you can take them to designated sites in the following parks - this service is only offered for 4 weeks after Christmas Day.

Please only drop off your Christmas trees at the designated site within the Park (marked with signage).

This service will be available at the following locations, for 4 weeks after Christmas Day:

• Albert Recreation Ground - Bidwell Gardens entrance (near staff depot)
• Bruce Castle Park - Staff depot near Lordship Lane entrance
• Downhills Park - Downhills Park Road/Keston Road entrance
• Finsbury Park - Endymion Road entrance (on left of entry)
• Priory Park - Barrington Road entrance (staff yard on right)

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Community groups

The Gardens Residents Association (GRA) Community Garden:

The Gardens Community Garden will also have a Christmas tree recycling point from Sunday 2 January 2022 until Sunday 30 January 2022 - open between 9am to 4pm only.

• Location:
  The Gardens Community Garden (GRA)
  Doncaster Gardens (off Stanhope Gardens)
  N4 1HX
• The Gardens Community Garden - Google maps (external link)

Important:

• Remove all decorations and lights
• You can recycle your whole tree
• Doncaster Gardens tree recycling is for local residents use only and not for trade recycling use
• No other recycling takes place at this location

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Food waste

As the festive season gets into full swing, try something new with your leftovers.

We've got some tips, tricks and inspiration to help you transform yesterday's Christmas excess into tomorrow's meals.

• Plan your meals in advance for the week. Writing down the ingredients you need for each meal helps you to avoid buying items you don’t need that end up in the bin, and can also help you save money
• Use your leftover food and ingredients rather than chucking them in the bin. With a bit of creative thinking, you can turn today’s leftovers into tomorrow’s ingredients. For ideas on recipes visit Love Food Hate Waste (external link)
• Using your freezer is a great way to cut down on food waste. Meat, fish and vegetables that won’t be eaten before their use by date can be frozen for use at a later date. Made too much food? Split it into portion sizes and freeze it for quick and easy meals at a later date
• Place any leftovers and food scraps in your food waste bin instead of your general waste so it can be recycled. Find out more about our free food waste recycling service in Haringey

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Christmas cards

• E-cards are a great way to send your holiday greetings across the globe from your digital device, as well as giving the trees and your wallet a rest
• Using a pair of scissors and some string you can turn your Christmas cards into decorations or gift tags for next year instead of throwing them in the bin
• If a card isn’t shiny or has no glitter on it then please put it in your recycling bin

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Wrapping paper

According to carbon footprint experts Giki, approximately 11.8 million kilos of carbon dioxide are emitted each year just manufacturing Christmas wrapping paper. Ditching this wrapping paper is the equivalent of taking 4,917 cars off the road and this does not count additional emissions to transport or dispose of it.

There are lots of alternative ideas for wrapping presents that are much more environmentally friendly. Visit the NLWA for inspiration on how to wrap-up the use of single-use Christmas paper this year (external link).

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Unwanted presents

If you’re thinking of getting rid of unwanted gifts or having a clear out to make room for your new things, please don’t chuck them in the bin. Instead, why not consider one of the below options:

• Donate the items to a local charity
• Donate the items to a local homeless shelter or women’s refuge
• List them for free on sites such as Facebook marketplace (external link), Freecycle (external link) and Freegle (external link)

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