Taking down your Christmas tree is always a sad moment, especially given the level of excitement and anticipation we had in putting it up in the first place.
It marks the end of festivities - and signals the return to work which is why some families have already cleared away their Christmas tree and decorations.
But for others the dreaded day will come this weekend with the North East expecting a power surge as thousands of hoovers are turned on to scoop up the pine needles during a mass clear-out by those who bought real trees.
This week there have been scenes of discarded trees - no longer wanted and looking forlorn - being abandoned outside North East houses.
And, with the added problem of the high winds, many have been blown around and are left to litter up streets.
But there are plenty easy recycling options and green choices for disposing of your trees.
Most people make a visit to their local tip, as all household waste disposal and recycling centres have the facility for Christmas tree recycling. This is also a good opportunity to get rid of the Christmas packaging accumulated on the big day, especially if you have kids.
So if you’ve gone for a real tree this year then here is a summary of where to take them for recycling in the North East.
Newcastle
Christmas tree recycling points are now located at Household Waste Recycling Centres
tmas tree recycling points will now be located at our household waste recycling centres
- Brunswick - Brunswick Industrial Estate, Sandy Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne , NE13 7BA
- Byker - Glasshouse Street, off Walker Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1AH
- Walbottle - Walbottle Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 8HY
The centres are open every day except Christmas Day, winter opening times (1 October to 31 March) are 8am to 6pm (except Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve when sites close at 4pm).
Gateshead
There are two Household Waste and Recycling centres in Gateshead, which are open during the winter (1 October to 31 March) between 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday; and 8am - 6pm Saturday to Sunday:
- Cowen Road waste and recycling centre, Cowen Road, Blaydon, Gateshead , NE21 5TW
- Campground waste and recycling centre, Springwell Road, Wrekenton, Gateshead, NE9 7XW
Facilities are provided each year to convert Christmas trees into chippings which can be used as mulch in gardens.
Christmas tree lights
Like all small electrical items, tree lights can be recycled at Household Waste and Recycling Centres at Wrekenton and Blaydon.
Wreaths
If you have a wreath made from natural materials like ivy, holly or fir tree clippings, you can compost the greenery once you have removed it from its base (provided there is no glitter) or place the greenery in your garden waste bin. The base can then be dropped into your household bin.
Baubles
Glass baubles are not recyclable - if any of your glass baubles break, please wrap them carefully and dispose of in your household waste bin.
Plastic baubles are usually made from types of plastic which are not widely collected yet in the UK. Many are also covered with glitter which contaminates other recycling materials. You could donate to a local charity or dispose of through your household bin.
North Tyneside
There is one Household Waste Recycling Centre in North Tyneside , which is open during the winter (1 October to 31 March) between 8am – 8pm every day except Christmas Day:
- Household Waste Recycling Centre, Wallsend Road, North Shields, NE29 7SH
From January 2 until January 21, residents can take their Christmas tree to the following locations:
- North Tyneside Council’s Killingworth site - Harvey Combe entrance, off Station Road
- Household Waste Recycling Centre, Wallsend Road, North Shields
Car park adjacent to the scout hut at Briardene, Whitley Bay.
South Tyneside
The Recycling Village at Middlefields is open for all excess materials gathered over the festive period. This includes cardboard, cans, plastic, glass and more. It's open every day except Christmas Day from 9am until 6pm, with extended opening hours until 7.30pm from December 26 until January 6. 2018.
You can also recycle your tree from January 1 to 26 at the following South Tyneside sites:
South Shields
- Temple Park Leisure Centre- next to Recycling Site
- Readhead Park - cemetery approach
- Mowbray Park - off Osborne Avenue
- Readhead Park - cemetery approach
- West Park Play Area, West Park Rd
- Recycling Village at Middlefields
Jarrow
- West Park - Corner Pine St & Sth View
Hebburn
- Campbell Park Road - corner of Adair Way
- St.Andrews Centre - Church Street
- Boldon, Cleadon and Whitburn
- Disco Park - rear of Old Store buildings
- Grange Park - North Lane entrance
- Cornthwaite Park Car Park
- Coulthard Park Car Park
- Oakleigh Gardens Driveway
Northumberland
You can take real Christmas trees to your local household waste recovery centre at any time, where they are collected and recycled along with other items of garden waste.
To make it easier to recycle your tree, Northumberland County Council have also arranged additional collection points across the county.
Sunderland
Sunderland residents can use either of two Household Waste Reception and Recycling Centres, which are open during the winter (October 1 to March 31) from 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday; and 8am - 6pm Saturday to Sunday. Both are closed on Christmas Day.
- Beach Street, Deptford, Sunderland SR4 6BU.
- Campground, Springwell Road, Wrekenton, Gateshead NE9 7XW
If you can’t get your tree to a recycling centre you can:
- Place it into your brown garden waste bin ready for collection when brown bin collections start again in April.
- Book a Bulky Waste Collection - please note a £15 charge applies but as this covers up to eight items you could club together with your neighbours and have eight trees collected from one location for one charge.
County Durham
There are 12 household waste and recovery centres in County Durham and a full list is available online here . Winter opening times are October to March, and all centres are closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
You can arrange to have their real Christmas tree collected free of charge in the New Year by contacting the council on 03000 261 000 before Sunday, 7 January.
Don’t fancy queuing at the tip? Real Christmas trees can be shredded and turned into mulch for your garden soil, and the wood chopped up for kindling for a log fire, wood-burning stove or chimenea, with the added benefit of keeping that festive pine smell going longer.