Is it too soon to be thinking about recycling your Christmas tree? With the Council’s green waste collections suspended until the end of January, it’s probably a good idea to think about what to do with the tree after the festivities have ended.
Following their successful pilot event in 2020, Coventry’s Charity Christmas Tree Collection is back in 2021 and it’s going big! To celebrate our City of Culture status, the Pass The Smile volunteer team are aiming to collect and shred an incredible 2021 real Christmas trees across Coventry and Warwickshire raising funds for The Myton Hospices and Pass The Smile for Ben. This year’s collection takes place on the weekend of January 9, 10 and 11.
Trees will be transported to Russells Garden Centre in Baginton, where they will be shredded and used to restock paths in their Quarry Gardens and maze.
Co-organiser Scott Crowther said: “In 2020 we had massive support from our community and collected 362 trees. We raised an amazing £4000, and everyone involved had an absolute blast. It will be different this year because of the pandemic of course but also because we’re expanding our collection areas across more of Coventry and Warwickshire with collections in Kenilworth, Leamington and Warwick.”
After a very difficult year for charities, the team are encouraging extra generous donations of £20.21 to continue the City of Culture theme, although they want to reassure everyone that donations of any size are welcome and all trees will be collected no matter the amount.
If you can help in any small way, please contact the team directly by email at [email protected] or by text to 07886 672087.
You can also book a tree collection from your home or business now on the Just Helping website. Bookings close at 5pm on January 6, and are limited to 2021 trees on a first donated, first served basis.
Updates will also be posted on the CovXmasTrees social media outlets: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Cllr Patricia Hetherton, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for City Services, said: “This is an incredible scheme that will raise much needed funds for two fantastic charities, as well as disposing of your Christmas Tree in an environmentally friendly way.
“There’s lots of ways to get involved and help, from leafleting to collections, and of course I’d really encourage anyone who is putting up a real tree this year to book their slot as soon as possible and start 2021 off by donating to a really worthy cause.”