Experts talked about the proper disposal of Christmas trees after the holidays

Every year after the New Year holidays, hundreds of thousands of felled fir trees end up in landfills. At the same time, live trees do not belong to municipal solid waste and overload container sites, and artificial fir trees are not recyclable. Leman PRO experts told Izvestia on January 11 about the correct ways to dispose of live and artificial Christmas trees.

Experts explained that it is best to take live fir trees to specialized reception points after the holidays. In large cities, temporary sites are traditionally open in January as part of environmental campaigns. So, in Moscow, these points are located throughout the city. Similar actions are carried out in the regions — reception points are often opened near shopping malls and hypermarkets.

After harvesting, the trees are sent for processing, where they are crushed into wood chips. The resulting raw materials are used in urban landscaping and agriculture — for mulching flower beds and paths, bedding for animals on farms and in zoos, as well as for the production of fuel briquettes and natural essential oils. Before delivery, the spruce must be prepared: Remove tinsel, garlands, decorations, and packaging materials.

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An alternative option may be to transfer the tree to a zoo or farm, where conifers are used as food or natural elements for animals. Owners of private homes can chop spruce on their own and use lapnik and wood chips in their household for winter plant shelter or fertilization of acid—loving crops. It is also allowed to export sawn wood to the forest, where it will naturally decompose and become part of the ecosystem, provided there is no decoration.

"Artificial fir trees are not recyclable waste due to the combination of different materials - different plastics and metal, which cannot be separated. Therefore, the most environmentally friendly scenario is to use such a Christmas tree for as long as possible and store it carefully. With proper care, it will last 10-15 years. But if you want to replace an artificial Christmas tree, find a new owner for it," Leman PRO experts noted.

If the artificial Christmas tree is damaged, it can be disassembled and used to create Christmas decorations such as wreaths, compositions or interior decorations. This approach, according to experts, makes it possible to reduce waste and make holidays more environmentally friendly.

On December 18, Vladimir Golubev, President of the Russian Cynological Federation, told Izvestia how to take precautions when installing a Christmas tree in a house with animals. According to him, the safest option is to restrict the pet's access to the room where the New Year's attribute is located. You also need to think about reliable fasteners to the ceiling or wall, a transparent fishing line is suitable for this.

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