EVEN though festivities are far from over for many, residents in Andover can already recycle their real Christmas trees at several locations.

As the festive clear-up begins, Test Valley Borough Council has announced details of their real Christmas trees recycling scheme. Residents can drop their unwanted trees at one of the locations around the town from Wednesday, December 28 until Monday, January 9.

The leader of the Test Valley Borough Council took to Facebook to share the news.

He posted: "I know for many of you the festivities are far from over but just to let you know that from tomorrow until Monday the 9th of January, you can recycle your real Christmas tree at any of the below locations.

"I'll be waiting until the New Year - and then struggling to get my imitation one back through the loft hatch."

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The disposal points in Andover are:

  • Enham Arch Retail Park
  • Dobbies Garden Centre, Salisbury Road
  • Rosebourne, Amesbury Road, Weyhill
  • Augusta Park Community Centre, Anton Farm Road

Around eight million real Christmas trees are bought each year and the way that you dispose of them can make a difference to the environment.

The Carbon Trust says that real trees have much lower carbon footprints than artificial Christmas trees. If a two-metre tree is recycled, rather than ending up in a landfill, it will reduce your carbon footprint by 80 per cent.

Once they have been chipped they are taken to a depot where they are left over time to decompose, and this compost is then used as mulch and weed suppressant for gardens and public areas. The mulch has more uses though, with some communities using it to pave running trails.