Recycling the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree

5 January 2009

The Deputy Mayor of London Richard Barnes today (Monday 5th January 2009) encouraged Londoners to recycle their Christmas trees as he helped to chip the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. On twelfth night, when Christmas trees and decorations are traditionally taken down, Richard Barnes was joined by young people from the theatre company, Chickenshed, to feed the 20 metre tall tree on Trafalgar Square into a chipping machine, where it was shredded and composted.

It is estimated that Londoners used over 976,000 Christmas trees this year and the Deputy Mayor called on Londoners to use their borough recycling schemes to recycle and compost their trees, rather than throwing them away. All 33 London boroughs are now offering Christmas tree recycling services. 27 (80 per cent) of boroughs are offering a collection from home service for Christmas trees and nearly half (16) are opening special drop off points for a specific period to collect Christmas trees for recycling. Reuse and Recycling centres across the capital will also be accepting Christmas trees for recycling. For further details on the local services being offered, as well as the nearest Reuse and Recycling Centres visit the Recycle for London website on www.recycleforlondon.com.

Over the Christmas period in the capital, we also sent an estimated 124 million cards and used around 30 per cent extra glass jars and bottles. Londoners are being encouraged to start 2009 on a green footing and recycle this extra festive rubbish rather than throwing it in the bin where it is destined to be incinerated or buried in landfill, contributing to climate change.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London and Chair of the London Waste and Recycling Board said: 'We have all eaten, drunk and been merry and now is the time for us to recycle all of the excess packaging, wrapping paper, leftover food and our Christmas trees. I want to ban the word 'waste' - it is in fact a resource which can be used to make new materials or create clean energy, so now it is twelfth night Londoners - get recycling!'

Richard Barnes, Deputy Mayor of London said: ' I am delighted to be joined by members of Chickenshed to remind Londoners of all the services that the boroughs provide for the recycling of our Christmas trees. We can all make our new year's resolution for 2009 to be as green as possible by making sure we recycle all of our festive rubbish.'

Mary Ward, Artistic Director, Chickenshed said: 'Chickenshed is committed to recycling its waste, reducing its environmental footprint and coming up with innovative ways to encourage all staff and membership to think about greener ways to live. Our philosophy is always to work together to make a positive impact and this is just as relevant for the environment as it is on stage.'

For more information about recycling and where you can recycle your Christmas trees, cards, unwanted gifts and other household waste in your local borough visit www.recycleforlondon.com or call 0845 3 313131.

Notes to Editors

1. The Recycle for London campaign is funded by the London Waste and Recycling Board. For more on the Board and its roles and responsibilities go to www.lwarb.gov.uk.

2. Chickenshed is a theatre company that makes beautiful and inspirational theatre working on the basis that everyone and anyone should be included, regardless of their background, age, race or ability. Every extraordinary piece of theatre created at Chickenshed shouts out the same thing: anyone can thrive when they feel accepted. Chickenshed is committed to the environment and has been awarded for reducing the environmental footprint of its theatre. Chickenshed now sends 50 per cent less rubbish to landfill and recycle all card, paper, glass bottles, plastic, cans, printing inks and batteries. Chickenshed's current festive production is the Twelve Days of Christmas. Running until 17th January this production is a wonderfully surreal adaptation of the traditional Christmas song. For further information visit www.chickenshed.org.uk.

3. The chippings from the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree will be used as compost on the flower beds in Parliament Square.

For further information please contact Nicola Dillon on 020 7983 4066 or Hilary Merrett on 020 7983 4755 in the Mayor's Press Office (numbers not for publication) For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000. For non-media enquiries please call the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.