Parks across Manchester are set to benefit from recycled Christmas trees after more than 6,000 trees were collected and chipped as part of the city’s annual recycling campaign.
Residents were encouraged to drop off their trees at designated collection points across the city, arrange a charity collection during the festive period, or cut them up and place them in their regular green bins for recycling.
This year, a total of 6,773 trees were chipped and recycled and £139,098 was raised for local charities across Greater Manchester, including Moya Cole Hospice (previously St Anne’s Hospice), Francis House and We Love Manchester.
This is 17.9% increase in funds raised and an increase of 27.7% in trees collected for recycling that directly gives back to the environment
Just Helping, a charity that specialises in tree recycling, will begin chipping trees dropped at Wythenshawe Park similar to last year. City‑centre drop‑off points at Sackville Park, Cutting Room Square in Ancoats, and the Smithfield Estate in the Northern Quarter have also proved popular, with trees from these sites recycled through the council’s normal green‑waste system.
The recycled trees from Manchester parks will be used in local parks to form woodland footpaths and contribute to part of the council’s wider plans for the city to achieve zero carbon status by 2038.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said:
“The drive for residents to recycle their Christmas trees has always been about giving back to our communities and the health environment. The sheer magnitude of the trees recycled – 7,000 so far – shows we are engaged with our communities, and they care deeply about pouring into their neighbourhoods. I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated their trees – it makes all the difference.”
Jenni Graham, Neighbourhood Officer, said:
“This year’s campaign has been the most successful yet. We are always looking for ways to build on the success of previous years and going forward we hope to add even more new sites across Manchester. Ideally, locations that residents can access easily on foot, that are situated near areas where we typically receive high numbers of trees. It’s also essential that these sites allow Biffa crews to work safely and efficiently.
“Looking ahead to next Christmas, we hope to expand further in Ancoats, where several new apartment developments are now completed and occupied. We’re also keen to expand into more Manchester Parks to support wider coverage across the city.”
