What to do with the Christmas tree in Mykolaiv after the holidays: tips

Christmas tree, photo from open sources

If you had an artificial Christmas tree this year, it is easy to put it in a box a few days after the holidays and hide it until next year. And what to do with a living tree? Can it be taken to the trash, is it harmful to animals, and are there special collection points in the city? NikVesti explored this.

Can you throw a Christmas tree in the trash?

The first thing that comes to mind is to take the Christmas tree to the trash. But this is the most unsuccessful idea of all possible ones, says Oleh Derkach, deputy head of the National Ecological Center of Ukraine. He explains:

«Now every tree is worth its weight in gold. Of course, there is a substitute for a cut tree — an alternative is a potted tree. But we continue to bring and sell pine trees. And after the holidays, they take them to the trash. But the communal workers quarrel and forbid the collection of Christmas trees near the dumpsters, because it creates a lot of problems for them. And if there are a lot of trees, they rot, emit methane and are so harmful.»

Christmas tree reception point in Kyiv, photo: Kyiv City Council

Is it possible to hand over the Christmas tree to the disposal point in Mykolaiv?

Special disposal points should work in cities. The trees that are brought there will be chopped into chips, which will serve as an excellent fertilizer. They can also be used to make fuel pellets or briquettes. Usually, the points are open until the end of January, and only live trees without decorative decorations are accepted there. There are currently such in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa and Ternopil.

Unfortunately, there are no such points in Mykolaiv, says Ihor Nabatov, deputy director of the housing and communal services department.

«Christmas trees are waste from the green economy. Therefore, there are only two options: a zoo or a landfill in Mishkovo-Pohorilovo, which accepts leaves, Christmas trees, and branches. If the tree is very large, it can be taken away by KP «Mykolaiv Parks,» says Ihor Nabatov.

A deer plays with a Christmas tree in the zoo, photo: DW

How to give a Christmas tree to the zoo?

Needles have a lot of vitamin C, so they can become a natural food. And therefore, the Christmas tree can be given to farmers or to the zoo, where it will be used as fodder or insulation for enclosures. Or they will find another use.

Director of the Mykolaiv Zoo, Volodymyr Topchii, says that trees can be brought to them and left at the main entrance:

«We do not give Christmas trees from apartments for food. We grind them and use them as bedding for our animals. Leave the trees at the gate, the workers will take them later.»

Sale of Christmas trees in Mykolaiv, photo: NikVesty

And what else can be done with a Christmas tree?

The Christmas tree can be used in different ways, the main thing is that it is not treated with chemicals or sprayed with a special coating, otherwise all of the above can harm nature.

From twigs, you can make a bird feeder on the balcony, or it is recommended to leave the tree right in the woods, where small animals can hide from bad weather. You can hang bird feed, fruit slices or scatter seeds on the branches themselves.

Tree branches can be used as mulch to protect plants in the garden or vegetable garden from frost. It will help retain moisture in the soil and prevent the growth of weeds, and also saturates plants with nutrients during the winter months. In addition, needles will be an excellent protection against soil erosion.

Dried needles can be used to create aromatic sachets or home decor. This is an easy way to keep the smell of the Christmas tree in your home for a while longer.

Christmas tree in Vienna, photo: Ventura

What do they do with Christmas trees in Europe?

Abroad, the disposal of Christmas trees after the holidays is organized very systematically.

In Germany, at the end of each year, residents receive calendars in the mail with dates for the removal of various types of garbage. In particular, Christmas trees. The day before, you just need to take the tree outside and leave it near the garbage container, from where it will be picked up by the «Christmas tree patrol» in the morning. Laminate and fuel pellets are made from Christmas trees.

The same system operates in Poland, where Christmas trees can be left near garbage containers in special open «shuttles» or on adapted platforms. The trees are already removed from there by communal services, usually after January 11.

Also, fuel briquettes or compost are often made from chopped Christmas trees. For example, in Sweden and Finland, Christmas trees are used in furniture factories, for the production of cosmetics, and sometimes they are simply burned in boiler houses to heat houses.

In Austria, Christmas trees are made into fuel briquettes, and in Canada they are used to make medicine.