CHRISTMAS Day is firmly behind us and households will be taking down their trees over the coming days.
But if you don’t get rid of yours in the right way you could land yourself a hefty fine.
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Twelfth night is traditionally the day when Christmas decorations are taken down – that date falls on January 5 or 6.
You have several options for getting rid of your tree, but leaving it on the street could be considered fly-tipping.
And if you’re caught doing this you could be slapped with a fine of up to £400 – not the best way to start the new year.
For instance, Camden Council, in London, is opening up Christmas tree recycling points for residents from January 3 to January 15.
Anyone who doesn’t use them and is caught dumping their trees on the street could be slapped with a £400 on-the-spot fine.
But this might not be the case everywhere.
And exactly how to dispose of your tree will depend on where you live too, as each council sets its own waste collection rules.
Birmingham City Council has set up places where residents can recycle their trees.
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The service is free and runs until December 31.
How can I get rid of my Christmas tree?
It’s best to check with your local council what the rules are for where you live.
If you don’t know what council area you fall under you can use the government’s locator tool on its website.
Of course, however you dispose of your tree, you’ll need to make sure all your decorations are removed first.
And the rules only apply to real Christmas trees – fake ones can be boxed up and used again next year.
There are other options for getting rid of your Christmas tree too, and they could be better for your wallet as well as the environment.
You could try planting your tree to use again next year if you have a garden and space to grow it.
It might also save you money on buying another one if you can make it last.
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Composting the tree is another option, but you’ll need to cut it into far smaller sections before adding it to your heap.
Many charities will also come and collect your tree for recycling in return for a small donation – you can find ones in your area here.
