Residents of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden and Vijfheerenlanden can earn a nice pocket money again this Christmas holiday. Every real Christmas tree - without wooden cross, pot, nails and decoration - earns a 50-cent reward. On 3 and 4 January, residents can hand in Christmas trees at central collection points in their neighbourhood. Prefer to hand in earlier or later? No problem. You can do so between 27 December and 11 January at the waste disposal points or at Kringloopplein in Nieuw-Lekkerland, using your environmental pass.
Together with residents and contractors, we take care of the annual Christmas tree collection. Each clean Christmas tree, with and without root ball, will yield 50 cents again this year. From 50 Christmas trees onwards, payment is made by bank transfer. Nelleke Gouw, environmental coach at Waardlanden, says: "We encourage children to go into the neighbourhood with brothers, sisters, friends or girlfriends during the Christmas holidays and collect as many Christmas trees as possible. Not only is it a fun way to play outside and earn a pocket money, but it also helps keep the neighbourhood clean and tidy. Moreover, we ensure that Christmas trees are recycled in a sustainable way. So participating is not only good for the wallet, but also for the environment.'
Drop off at nearby collection points
On Friday 3 January and Saturday 4 January, you can hand in Christmas trees at central collection points in the neighbourhood.
Return to environmental centres with environmental card
Would you like to hand in your Christmas tree earlier? You may be able to arrange for children in the neighbourhood to hand in the tree for you. Can't, or do you just want to enjoy your Christmas tree longer? Between 27 December and 11 January, bring the tree to the environmental site or the Kringloopplein in Nieuw-Lekkerland. A reward of 50 cents per tree applies there too. Trees handed in before or after this period are not eligible for a reward. Don't forget to bring your environmental pass, as you cannot visit the environmental centres and Kringloopplein without one. Children under 12 years of age may only visit the waste disposal site when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Christmas trees are not waste
Do you have a Christmas tree with a root ball? Then you can also plant it in your garden after the holidays and use it again next year. Don't have a garden, no room in your garden or prefer not to have a Christmas tree in your garden after the holidays? Then always hand in your Christmas tree at a collection location or environmental centre. Do not throw your Christmas tree in the organic waste container. The resin from a Christmas tree cannot be composted. Do not set fire to Christmas trees either. Burning them releases harmful substances into the air. This is not only bad for the environment, but can also cause health problems in people. Collected trees are shredded. This reduces the emission of harmful substances. After shredding, the raw materials are recycled into compost or green gas. Christmas tree chips are also used as soil improvers and ground cover. So your discarded Christmas tree is not waste, but a valuable raw material.
The collection campaign is for residents only. Companies are excluded from participating.