Free bag of chips if you recycle your tree…

Plymouth residents will be able to recycle their Christmas trees differently this year and get a free bag of chippings in return.

Wood-chipping machines will be on a mini tour of Plymouth as part of a trial scheme to dispose of Christmas trees responsibly.

Teams from the Council will take the machines to locations across the city from 9 January to make it easier for residents to get rid of their real trees once the festive fortnight is over.

And for the keen gardeners, there is also a chance to grab a bag of free wood chippings in return. Any unused chippings will then be used in shrub-beds across the city and offered to local volunteer gardening groups and allotment owners.

Cabinet member for Street Scene and the Environment, Councillor Mike Leaves said: “We are trying out something different this year that will help our gardeners as well as make our city a little bit greener. We need to be more efficient with our services and make savings where we can.

“Please don’t leave your old trees next to your bins as they will not be collected by our teams.”

Although there will be no collection rounds, people will be able to get rid of their trees near their homes. People are being asked to drop off trees to a special fenced area at these locations below on or near the set date. They can also still take used trees to Chelson Meadow and Weston Mill household recycling centres.

The wood-chipping machines will be available on the following dates:

Monday 9 January

Plympton St Mary car park
Tuesday 10 January

Plymstock Broadway car park
Wednesday 11 January

Honicknowle – Ringmore Way car park (next to Honiton Close) from 8.30am to 11.30am
Ham – the Council’s Outland Road depot from 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Thursday 12 January

Crownhill Village car park from 8.30am to 3.30pm
Tamar Bridge car park from 12.30 to 3.30pm
Friday 13 January

Brickfields car park from 8.30am to 11.30am
Church Street car park, Stoke from 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Monday 16 January

Civic Centre (rear) car park from 8.30am to 11.30am
North Hill car park from 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Tuesday 17 January

Council’s Prince Rock depot from 8.30am to 11.30am
Trefussis Park car park from 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Wednesday 18 January

Southway Shops car park 8.30am to 11.30am
Fort Austin car park from 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Thursday 19 January

the Council’s Outland Road depot 8.30am to 11.30am
Trefussis Park car park from 12.30am to 3.30pm
Councillor Leaves added: “This is a trial to provide an extra service to our residents while staying within our means.”

If you want chippings remember to bring your empty garden waste bags with you so that these can be used to transport the chippings back home.