Twelfth Night: Time to tree-cycle, local MP urges
Residents across Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard constituency are being encouraged to recycle their real Christmas trees as the festive season comes to an end on Twelfth Night, Monday, January 5.
Local MP Alex Mayer is urging households not to let their Christmas trees go to waste, warning that too many still end up in landfill each year. It is estimated that around 80,000 real Christmas trees are sold annually across Bedfordshire, with up to 20,000 at risk of being thrown away rather than recycled.
When buried, trees release methane as they decompose, generating four to five times more carbon emissions than trees that are recycled or reused.
The Council offers a free real Christmas tree recycling service in early January. Residents can leave their tree loose next to their recycling bin on their usual collection day between Monday 5 and Friday 16 January, provided they are no taller than six feet and have trunks no wider than three inches in diameter. Trees can also be taken to local household waste recycling centres.
To help recycling residents are reminded to remove all decorations, lights, tinsel and stands before putting their tree out for collection.
Alex Mayer said: “As we pack away the baubles and tinsel, let’s start the new year on a green note. Tree-cycling is quick, easy and one small way we can all help the environment as we head into 2026. With free local recycling available, there’s no reason for any festive fir to end up in the black bin.”
Recycled Christmas trees can be chipped and turned into mulch or compost, which helps improve soil quality in parks and gardens, supports flood resilience and returns nutrients to the earth. Recycling just one real Christmas tree can reduce carbon emissions by up to 4.5 times compared with sending it to landfill.