Spate of illegal Christmas tree dumping across Auckland

Tuesday, 17 January 2017

While a puppy may be for life, not just for Christmas - Christmas trees tend not to be afforded the same sentiment.

But dumping them on the road-side is not the right way to dispose of festive foliage, the Auckland Council has said.

Dead Christmas trees are green waste, which - along with all types of rubbish - is illegal to dump on grassy verges. Illegal dumping costs Auckland ratepayers more than $1 million annually.

Last week the council noted more than 30 incidents of illegally dumped Christmas trees across the region, including one hoisted into the lower branches of a much larger tree.

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The council's general manager of waste solutions Ian Stupple said people that 'took the time to choose, buy and decorate a real Christmas tree' should also take the time to dispose of it properly.

He suggested the following options 'for convenient and sustainable disposal of your tree':

- Private garden bag or bin collections: check if yours accepts Christmas trees.

- Christmas tree farms: some accept trees purchased from anywhere, for free, to use for mulch or compost.

- Christmas tree collection services: first check that they collect from inside your property (not the kerbside) and if they will put the tree to good use, such as for mulch or compost.

- Some transfer stations will accept Christmas trees for a fee.