Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme update

From this year (2024), our free Christmas tree recycling service will not be operating from collection points in car parks across the borough. 

Residents can still recycle their real Christmas trees at their local Community Recycling Centre after the festive season. 

Those who subscribe to our Garden Waste scheme also have the option to cut up their Christmas tree and place it in their garden waste bin for collection.

Visit the Surrey County Council Community Recycling Centres webpage and the Joint Waste Solutions Garden Waste webpage for more details.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the real Christmas tree collection point scheme no longer available?

Due to changes in the council’s financial position, we must reduce costs across all services, and as part of that process the real Christmas tree collection point scheme has ended.

What alternative ways can I dispose of my real Christmas tree at the end of the festive season?

Residents can still recycle their real Christmas trees at their local Community Recycling Centre after the festive season - visit the Surrey County Council website to find your local Community Recycling Centre (external link).

Those who subscribe to our Garden Waste scheme also have the option to cut up their Christmas tree and place it in their garden waste bin for collection.

For more details on our Garden Waste scheme, visit the Joint Waste Solutions website (external link).

What if I don't have transport to get to the Community Recycling Centre (CRC) to dispose of my tree?

Hopefully most people will be able to use the same way of transporting their tree to the CRC that they used to get it to their home. Our garden waste subscription service is an alternative option which means you do not have to transport your used tree anywhere, but can chop it up and put it in your garden waste bin!

What will happen if I leave my real Christmas tree anywhere other than on my property or at a CRC?

This will be classed as fly tipping or the illegal dumping of waste, which carries a Fixed Penalty Notice tariff of up to £1,000. We would encourage everyone to dispose of their tree responsibly and legally.

How much would it cost if the Christmas tree recycling scheme were to continue?

The costs have increased significantly in recent years and run into thousands of pounds, including the hire of the tree chipping machinery, plus several weeks of greenspace officers' time for the setting up of the sites, tree collection and chipping.  

Won't the closure of the Christmas tree recycling scheme lead to more fly tipped trees which the council will need to clear up?

We know that the majority of local people are proud of our beautiful local environment and want to look after it for the benefit of the whole community, and so would not dump their tree, but would use one of the alternative ways of disposing of their tree responsibly!

We work with our partners Joint Waste Solutions and Amey who organise fly tip clearance across the borough, and would remind people that fly tipping is illegal and carries a fixed penalty notice of up to £1,000 per offence.