Donegal public encouraged to recycle Christmas trees to help our environment

Donegal County Council is encouraging households to make Christmas joyful and sustainable by recycling responsibly this festive season as part of its Christmas Climate Action Campaign.

Christmas is a time of giving, but also a time when waste can spiral, leading to a significant increase in packaging and food waste. By following the principles of ‘Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’, simple steps can greatly contribute toward a more environmentally sustainable future.

Donegal County Council is encouraging households to embrace sustainable practices during the festive season to reduce waste and protect the environment.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Paul Canning stated that: “Our Climate Action Plan calls for strong public engagement in waste reduction. By recycling correctly this Christmas, every household in Donegal can play a part in cutting emissions and protecting our environment, making a positive impact on our environment.”

The Council is reminding residents to ensure all packaging is clean, dry, and loose in recycling bins, use the Re-turn Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers, reuse decorations, and avoid single-use plastics.

Donegal County Council and the Loughs Agency have announced the return of an innovative scheme that uses old natural Christmas trees to improve local rivers and waterways.

Donegal residents are encouraged to recycle their natural Christmas trees, which will then be repurposed to stabilise riverbanks, reduce erosion, and create habitats for wildlife.

Trees from last year’s pilot scheme are already being used as green engineering along the banks of the River Cummirk in Donegal.

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Ciarán McGonigle, Director of Aquaculture and Shellfisheries at Loughs Agency, explained: “We are thrilled to partner with Donegal County Council on this programme again and encourage residents throughout Donegal to get involved.”

“We’re delighted that last year’s trees are now supporting healthier water quality on the Cummirk River, which is part of the River Finn Special Area of Conservation, designated for its important habitats and species, including Atlantic salmon. It’s a fantastic outcome for all involved.”

Lorraine Arbuckle, Climate Action Co-ordinator at DCC, added: “After the success of last year’s scheme, this is another fantastic opportunity for residents to give back to nature. Recycling trees responsibly is good for the environment as well as directly benefiting our local ecosystems.”

Residents can recycle their domestic Christmas trees free-of-charge at various locations throughout Donegal until January 24, making the scheme as accessible as possible.

For more information on tree recycling locations and how you can contribute to this initiative, visit Donegal County Council’s website.