When twelfth night arrives – the day when the Christmas decorations are traditionally taken down – Huntingdonshire District Council will be making preparations for this year’s Xtreem recycling event. 

Residents are being invited to bring their Christmas trees to Hinchingbrooke Country Park, Huntingdon on Sunday 11 January between 10.30am and 3.00pm. Their trees will be shredded by staff from the council’s operations division and turned into wood chippings which residents can then reuse on their gardens.  Any surplus chippings will be used throughout the country park.

“Real Christmas trees are part of the seasonal biodegradable waste that can be recycled. They are more environmentally friendly than artificial trees as they absorb carbon dioxide whilst growing and don’t use finite resources in their production” said Countryside ranger Judith Arnold.

There will also be an opportunity to recycle unwanted Christmas gifts. These can be taken along as well and given to Green Santa, so that he can distribute them to Charity Shops and Furniture Reuse organisations. Green Santa will be sitting on an eye-catching full-size red sleigh, while his wife and elves give out leaflets and pledge cards and talks to the public about reuse.

Environmental organisations such as Waste & Resources Programme (WRAP) and the Energy Saving Trust will be on hand to answer any of your home composting and energy efficiency advice.  Huntingdonshire District Council’s environment team will also be present to advice residents on available energy efficiency grants and refuse and recycling information.

Although there is no charge for the shredding service, small donations would be welcome and will be divided between the Friends of Hinchingbrooke Country Park and the St Barnabas Furniture project both of which benefit local residents. 

Please bring your trees to be chipped on Sunday 11 January only. There is no facility to store the trees prior to the day.