Christmas is over, let’s recycle the trees

Like every year, after the Christmas holidays, what are we going to do with the tree (in a pot or cut)?

Recycling is an idea to favor. Green waste, it will become compost, shredded (to protect plantations in green spaces), will be burned or replanted. The cities of France offer places to deposit the trees before recycling. This avoids abandonment on the sidewalk and a fine of 150 €.

The Christmas tree

In France, the Christmas tree is a tradition, 1 in 5 households buys one to celebrate the end of the year holidays. Each year, 5.5 million natural trees are sold. They come from nurseries and are not responsible for deforestation. However, they still do not have the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) label.

Artificial trees represent 1 million sales per year and are made of plastic and PVC; they are made from petroleum materials (non-biodegradable materials). Prefer a natural tree is advised to respect the ecological impact. They can be disposed of in a recycling center where they will then be recycled.

FSC label

The FSC label is an environmental label which certifies that the wood comes from forests or plantations managed in a responsible and sustainable manner (management which meets the social, economic, ecological and cultural needs of present and future generations). The ten principles of FSC are:

Compliance with laws and FSC principles
Land rights and responsibilities and uses
Rights of indigenous peoples
Forest resources
Workers’ rights and relations with communities
Environmental impact
Development plan
Monitoring and evaluation
Maintaining forests of high conservation value
Plantations.

Independent and accredited bodies award and control the “FSC private collective controlled label”. Important NGOs including Greenpeace, WWF, support this ecological label. In 2008, more than 50 million hectares of forest were already certified, as was 7% of global industrial wood consumption.

Recycling in Paris

The first Parisian fir recycling operation dates back to the winter of 2007-2008. She had collected 15,000 trees from 65 different places.

In the capital, you can drop off your tree (without decorations or flocking and without bag) between December 26, 2020 and January 20, 2021. Trees are recycled and transformed on site, at the collection point (near you in all the districts). After January 20, you can take out your tree with the household garbage (green lidded containers). If it exceeds 2.5 m, it must be cut in half.

The different ways to recycle trees
Compost or shredded for use in mulch.
Use of fallen needles as mulch. They retain freshness by limiting evaporation and slow down the growth of weeds. They can also be used for a foot bath thanks to their antibacterial action on your skin.
Firewood in a fireplace. The needles make a good fire starter.
After 6 months of drying, use for the barbecue with charcoal.
Floral decoration
Replant your tree in a root ball in the garden or in the forest. It will serve the following year. You can also drop it off with a landscaper.
All collection points

Posters relay the operation “Recycle our trees”. Fir sellers, caretakers of social landlords and condominium managers take part. The goal is to make Parisians aware of a civic and ecological act.

This year, the City is stepping up the operation of 21 additional collection points, bringing the total number to 195, spread across all the arrondissements of Paris.

Other cities like Marseille, Toulouse, Annecy, Villefranche sur Saône or Le Havre organize collections.

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