The Christmas tree collection in aid of East Cheshire Hospice will be back in full swing in 2022. Registrations are open, with organisers hoping for a green Christmas by promoting the eco-friendly benefits of buying a real tree.
The event – delayed until April this year because of the pandemic – is back on schedule again for the weekend of January 15/16. The last collection raised a record £150,000, bringing the total generated for the charity to almost £1.2m as the scheme approaches its 22nd year.
Volunteers will be collecting trees over east Cheshire and beyond. The post codes covered are CW12, SK9, SK10, SK11, SK12 and WA16. The event is sponsored by local businesses, such as main sponsors AstraZeneca, meaning all donations go straight to the Hospice. To register trees visit www.echtrees.org.uk.
Trees are recycled at the Ansa plant in West Park, Macclesfield, a centre dubbed the Mulchers Arms where refreshments are served to helpers. Co-founder Richard Raymond said: “It’ll be good to have our full team of volunteers back together again and we’re hoping the public support us as they’ve done so wonderfully well in the past.
Tree collection co-founders Richard Raymond (left) and Pete Chapman.
“Their generous donations in exchange for collecting their trees provide vital funds for the care of patients. Of course, we’ll abide by all restrictions and produce a safe environment for the collection.
“There are persuasive reasons why real trees are more eco friendly than plastic trees, most of which are manufactured in the Far East.
“These use low-grade plastics such as PVC which are almost impossible to recycle. How would we feel if plastic pine needles were found in the belly of a whale in the ocean?
“The Carbon Trust says you need to keep a plastic tree for 10 years or more for its carbon footprint to be better than a real tree. However, a Life Cycle Analysis came to the conclusion that a figure of 20 years was more realistic.
“We recycle every tree we collect to the benefit of Cheshire farmland and this soil-improver brings life back to the soil.
“In addition, the figures for fly-tipped trees in the Cheshire East area have dramatically reduced since the Hospice collection offered a pick-up and recycling alternative.
“Make sure a tree seller has sourced it from a sustainable grower. Christmas trees are often grown on agricultural land such as steep slopes which are of no other use.”