How to recycle Christmas trees in each London borough

Borough-by-borough breakdown of Christmas tree recycling Credit: PA Wire

Barking and Dagenham

Real Christmas trees will be taken away for recycling by refuse crews between 13 January and 10 February. Put the tree next to your bins on your normal collection date, remembering to remove all decorations.

Barnet

If you have a green bin collection, you can leave your natural Christmas tree at the side of your green bin on your scheduled collection day starting from Monday 6 January 2014. Remove decorations and break large trees in half if possible.

Bexley

Residents can bring real Christmas trees to either of the two recycling centres at Thames Road, Crayford and Maidstone Road, Foots Cray - or leave them next to their brown bins (not inside them) for a kerbside collection.

Brent

The council accepts real Christmas trees in organic bins, as long as they are cut up into pieces and the lid of the bin is shut. The council does not offer a collection service for unwanted trees but they can be taken to a recycling centre at Abbey Road. If you live in flats you can call the council on 020 8937 5050 to request biodegradable sacks.

Bromley

The council provide a free Christmas tree recycling service for all residents at temporary sites around the borough:

  • Beckenham, Unicorn Primary School (Creswell Drive off South Eden Park Road)

  • Biggin Hill, Charles Darwin School (Jail Lane)

  • Bromley, Norman Park (Hook Farm Road entrance off Bromley Common, A21)

  • Green Street Green, Salt Depot (Shire Lane 'spur', off Sevenoaks Road)

  • St Paul's Cray, Cotmandene Crescent car park (off Chipperfield Road)

The service operates on Saturday 11 January 2014, 11am - 4pm and Sunday 12 January 2014, 8am - 12 noon.

Camden

Take your tree to one of the council's drop-off points across the borough between Thursday 2 January and Thursday 16 January 2014.

  • Millfield Lane, junction with Merton Lane

  • Camden Garden Centre, 2 Barker Drive

  • Camden Gardens, Camden Street

  • Chalcot Square Gardens

  • Cumberland Market Gardens

  • Goldington Crescent Gardens

  • Harrington Square Gardens, Lidlington Square

  • Purchese Street open space

  • East Heath Road car park

  • Eton Avenue, junction with Lancaster Grove

  • Jack Straw's Castle car park, North End Road

  • Netherhall Gardens

  • Boma Garden Centre, Islip Street

  • Highgate enclosures, Highgate Road

  • Regis Road recycling centre

  • Talacre Road open space

  • Fortune Green open space

  • Kilburn Grange Park, Messina Avenue

  • Brunswick Square Gardens

  • Calthorpe Project

  • Russell Square Gardens

Croydon

You can take tyhe tree to one of the council's designated recycling collection points between 2 January to 11 January 2014.

  • Ashburton Ashburton park, access from Tenterden Road

  • Addiscombe Co-op Supermarket car park, Lower Addiscombe Road

  • Broad Green Homebase, Purley Way

  • Coulsdon Lion Green Road car park

  • Coulsdon East Grange Park, Canon's Hill

  • Fairfield Oaks Road/Commbe Road car park

  • Heathfield Addington Park car park, Gravel Hill

  • Kenley Kenley Residents' Association, Oaks Road green

  • New Addington Central Parade car park

  • New Addington Fisher's Farm Reuse and Recycling Centre, North Downs Road

  • Norbury Granville Gardens car park

  • Upper Woodcote Village Residents' Association, Woodcote Village Green

  • Purley Oaks Reuse and Recycling Centre, Brighton Road

  • Sanderstead Occasionally Yours, Limpsfield Road

  • Selsdon Recreation Ground (access from Woodlands Gardens)

  • Shirley Monks Orchard Green

  • Shirley Park Residents' Association, Green Court Gardens Green

  • South Norwood Sainsbury's, Whitehorse Lane

  • Upper Norwood Secret Garden, Westow Street

  • Wyevale Garden Centre, Waddon Way

  • Factory Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre, Factory Lane

  • Waddon Morrisons car park, Purley Way

Ealing

Between 30 December 2013 and 17 January 2014, you can leave your real tree on the front edge of your property on your normal collection day, and it will be collected for composting. Alternatively, old Christmas trees can be taken to a number of collection points in the council's parks and open spaces throughout January and February.

  • Acton Green Common

  • Acton Park

  • Berkeley Fields (Berkeley Avenue)

  • Churchfields Hanwell (car park)

  • Cleveland Park

  • Ealing Central Sports Ground (Horsenden Lane South)

  • Ealing Common (Junction of Grange Road and The Common)

  • Elthorne Park (Boston Road)

  • Islip Manor Park (Eastcote Lane car park)

  • North Acton Playing fields

  • Perivale Park (Cowgate Road)

  • Pitshanger Park

  • Ravenor Park (Oldfield Lane South and Ruislip Road)

  • Rectory Park (Perkfield Drive)

  • Southall Park (Green Drive)

  • Southfield Park

  • Spikes Bridge Park (West Avenue)

  • Springfield Gardens (Rosemont Road)

  • Walpole Park (Lammas Park Gardens)

Enfield

Christmas trees can be taken to the following locations for recycling until 11th January 2013.

  • Albany Park (EN3)

  • Jubilee Park (N9)

  • Broomfield Park (N13)

  • Oakwood Park (N14)

  • Bush Hill Park (EN1)

  • Pymmes Park (N18)

  • Durants Park (EN3)

  • Town Park (EN1)

  • Grovelands Park (N21)

  • Trent Park (EN4)

  • Barrowell Green Recycling Centre (N21)

  • Enfield Playing Fields (EN1)

  • Forty Hall (EN2)

Greenwich

The council will recycle your real Christmas tree as part of your weekly collection. If you would like the council to collect your tree remove all decorations and the pot, place your tree at the front of your property where it can be easily seen by the green top collection team.

Hackney

Residents with a garden waste recycling service can leave their trees next to their Brown Bin on their regular collection day. Christmas trees can also be taken to Millfields Depot, Millfields Road, E5 0AR.

Hammersmith and Fulham

If your recycling and rubbish is collected in sacks from outside your home, leave your real Christmas tree in your front garden or outside your property for recycling. It should be clearly visible from the street, not hidden behind walls or plants and not cause an obstruction on the pavement.

Haringey

If you receive a green garden waste collection, you can cut your tree into smaller pieces (maximum length 1 metre or 3 feet) and put it out for collection. It is essential that your tree is cut into smaller pieces, otherwise it cannot be collected. Alternatively, you can take them to designated sites in the following parks from Monday 6 January - Sunday 26 January 2014:

  • Albert Road Recreation Ground (Staff yard) - Bidwell Gardens, N11

  • Bruce Castle Park (Staff yard) - Lordship Lane, N17

  • Down Lane Recreation Ground (Staff yard) - Park View Road, N17

  • Downhills Park (Staff yard) - Downhills Park Road, N17

  • Finsbury Park (Staff yard) - Endymion Road, N4

  • The Gardens Community Garden - Doncaster Gardens, N4

  • Priory Park (Staff yard) - Barrington Road, N8

  • Woodside Park (Staff yard) - High Road, N22

Harrow

Harrow residents can cut up their real Christmas tree and place it in their Brown (organic waste) bin and it will be taken with the weekly collection or it can be taken to the Civic Amenities site on Forward Drive.

Havering

If you are a Wheeled Bin Garden Waste Collection Service customer you can cut your tree and place it in your green bin with the lid closed on your collection day. All residents can take their tree to the Gerpins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre on any date or to the Gidea Park Sports Ground, Main Road, Romford on Saturday 4 January 2014 from 10am to 2pm

Hillingdon

Christmas trees can be recycled via the kerbside recycling service for compostable garden wastes.

Hounslow

If you have a real Christmas tree place it out for collection on your normal garden waste collection day during January. Alternatively, Christmas trees can be dropped off at the following sites from 2 - 17 January from 8am-3pm.

  • Gunnersbury Park - main car park, Popes Lane Gunnersbury

  • Hounslow Heath - car park, Staines Road (next to the visitor centre)

  • Hanworth Air Park - car park area, entrance on Hounslow Road, Hanworth

Islington

If you live on an estate the council will collect trees from estates until 13 January. Ask your caretaker where to leave your tree. If you live in a street property put your tree out with your other recycling on your usual collection day, keeping it inside your property edge.

Or use a drop-off point from 5-13 January at King Square, Barnard Park, Rosemary Gardens, or Elthorne Park. The Reuse and Recycling Centre on Hornsey Street accepts green waste, including Christmas trees, all year round.

Kensington and Chelsea

From Thursday 2 to Wednesday 15 January 2014 the council will collect used Christmas trees to be shredded and turned into compost.

Christmas tree collection dates are different to those for your normal recycling and refuse collection, and a specific crew will collect your tree from your home. If you are already registered for garden waste collections, your Christmas tree will be collected on the same day as your garden waste.

Put your tree out for collection alongside your garden waste bag, at the boundary of your property (so that it is visible from the kerb).

Kingston upon Thames

Real Christmas trees will be collected between Tuesday 7 January and Friday 17 January only. Please leave your trees out on the same day as your landfill waste collection day.

Alternatively, you can take your tree to the Household Reuse and Recycling Centre at Villiers Road to be composted.

Lambeth

If you have a food waste collection service, the council will collect your real Christmas tree (free from decorations) along with your other recycling for free from 6 to 31 January 2014. If you do not have a food waste collection service you can take your tree to one of the following parks between the 6 and 13 January 2014 (open 7.30am - 4.15pm).

  • Clapham Common, Windmill Drive SW4

  • Streatham Common, rear of Upper Common car park, SW16

  • Archbishops Park, Carlisle Lane, SE1

  • Lambeth Reuse and Recycling Centre. Vale Street, West Norwood, SE27 9PA (behind West Norwood cemetery)

Lewisham

From 28 December 2013 until 27 January 2014 residents can take their unwanted real Christmas trees to any one of 12 designated recycling points.

  • Talbot Place - Blackheath

  • Hilly Fields Park - use Hilly Fields Crescent Entrance

  • Forster Memorial Park - use entrance at the top of Whitefoot Lane

  • Deptford Park - use entrance in Scawen Road

  • Northbrook Park - use entrance in Baring Road

  • Chinbrook Meadows - use entrance in Amblecote Road

  • Manor House Gardens - use entrance in Old Road

  • Mountsfield Park - use entrance at the top of George Lane

  • Telegraph Hill Park - use entrance on Pepys & Kitto Road

  • Mayow Park - use entrance in Mayow Road

  • Sydenham Wells Park - use entrance in Wells Park Road

  • Beckenham Place Park - use entrance in Old Bromley Road

Merton

If you have a real Christmas tree you can take it to the Garth Road Reuse and Recycling Centre and place it in the green waste area. Alternatively you can use the household collection service. Remove the decorations and place your tree at the front of your property before 6am on 6 January. Please place it where it can be clearly seen from the road, but not on the pavement.

Newham

The council collects green garden waste from Newham residents for no extra charge. If you have leaves, twigs, cuttings or other green waste to get rid of, book a free collection so that the council can take it away to be composted. Do not put green garden waste into your normal rubbish bin.

Redbridge

You can recycle your Christmas tree (smaller than 10cm in diameter and 122cm/4ft in length) via the garden waste service. Larger trees can still be collected if they are broken down in to pieces no bigger than this size.

Richmond upon Thames

Between Thursday 2 January and Wednesday 15 January, the council will be collecting real Christmas trees from households for recycling. You should leave your tree out on the same day the council collects garden waste from your road. If you miss your garden waste recycling day, consider taking your tree to one of the larger borough drop off points.

  • Townmead Road Reuse and Recycling Centre

  • Wickes car park recycling site, South Road, Twickenham (26 December 2013 until 31 January 2014)

  • Squires Garden Centre in Twickenham (From 2 - 31 January 2014)

Southwark

If you have a food and garden waste collection, real Christmas trees can be collected as part of your normal household collection service. Simply remove any decorations and its pot or stand and place your tree next to your brown bin ready for collection. If you do not have a scheduled food and garden waste collection service you can book an ad-hoc collection and arrange for your Christmas tree to be collected. Telephone 020 7525 2000. From 6 to 31 January there will also be real tree collection sites at the following places around the borough.

  • Reuse and recycling centre on Devon Street (off Old Kent Road)

  • Belair Park

  • Peckham Rye Park

  • Southwark Park

Sutton

Real Christmas trees will be collected from Monday 6 Jan until Sat 1 Feb. Put out your real tree with your green recycling bin on your collection day.

Tower Hamlets

To recycle a real Christmas tree, residents in blocks of flats should contact their housing manager to find out about local arrangements. Those living in houses can leave their trees on the boundary of their property on their garden waste/food waste recycling day. Christmas tree collections will take place from January 6 up until January 24.

Only real Christmas trees can be recycled and pots, soil and decorations should be removed as these items cannot be composted. Christmas trees can also be taken to the Reuse and Recycling centre at Yabsley Street, E14 9RG.

Waltham Forest

Leave your real Christmas tree out next to your brown bin on your collection day and the council will recycle it for you.

Wandsworth

Christmas trees will be recycled for free from Thursday (January 2) as part of the council's regular refuse and recycling service. Leave your tree at the front of your property where it can be clearly seen. Residents are strongly advised not to leave trees on pavements unless there is nowhere else at the front of their property to leave it. Trees should only be left out on normal collection days and not before.

Westminster

There are 22 recycling points for your natural Christmas Trees. Deposit your tree at one of the drop off locations between 2nd and 15th January 2014.

  • Paddington Rec. (Carlton Vale)

  • Lisson Green Estate, (Swain St) (near junction with Tresham Crescent on the Lisson Green Estate)

  • Lisson Grove, (on the junction with Rossmore Rd next to the existing recycling bins)

  • Penfold Street, (on the junction with Broadley Street next to the existing recycling bins)

  • Prince Albert Road, (on the junction with Culworth Street)

  • Queen's Terrace, NW8 6DF

  • Churchill Gardens Estate, (next to Balmoral Castle Pub)

  • Charlwood Street, (on the junction with Denbigh Street next to the existing recycling bins)

  • Eaton Square, (junction with Eccleston St)

  • Erasmus Street, (junction with Cureton St)

  • Rutland Gate, (at the top of the garden nearest the Junction with Rutland Gate Mews)

  • Cavendish Square Gardens (North side)

  • Paddington Street Gardens (North side)

  • Soho Square Gardens (East entrance)

  • Great Western Road, (opposite junction with Tavistock Road)

  • Hallfield Estate, (in front of Tenby House)

  • Rowington Close, (Warwick estate)

  • St. Stephen's Gardens, (junction with Westbourne Park Road)

  • Grantully Road, (on the junction with Ashworth Road next to the existing paper/card recycling bin)

  • Harrow Road, (opposite Maryland Road next to the existing recycling bins)

  • Warwick Avenue, (on the pavement in the middle of the road, opposite the taxi rank)

  • Queen's Park, (junction with Fourth Avenue by the entrance to the park)