Recycle your Christmas tree with Pilgrims Hospices

Published: 14/09/2023

Pilgrims Hospices Tree Recycling initiative is celebrating its 11th anniversary since its inception in Ashford Borough Council area, raising an incredible, £171,635 for local hospice care in that time. In 2022, the initiative branched out to include the Canterbury City Council and Thanet District Council areas too, with great success!

When it comes to saying farewell to your festive fir, Pilgrims help you enjoy a hassle-free end to the Christmas period with their environmentally friendly service, that also raises vital funds for end-of-life care. Every tree that is collected in Ashford, Canterbury or Thanet will help to care for people facing an incurable illness in our community.

Last year a record breaking 2,250 real trees were recycled, raising over £42,700 for local hospice care. Enough to pay for more than 1,680 hours of specialist care.

Simply register your real Christmas tree for collection for a chosen donation and the friendly team of Pilgrims volunteers with then take your tree to be recycled at the local Household Waste and Recycling Centre.

Specialists Pilgrims Hospices nurses will be providing care and comfort, free of charge, to hundreds of families facing an incurable illness this festive season. Please give generously when booking online.

All trees for doorstep collections need to be pre-registered and will be unable to accept any booking made after the closing deadlines.

How are the Christmas trees recycled?

After being collected by Pilgrims volunteer elves and taken to the local Recycling Centre, with the support of Kent County Council and FCC Environment, the trees are taken to specialist recycling farms, Blaise Farm in West Malling and Hope Farm in Capel-le-Ferne. They are then composted within a covered building system and turned into two grades of compost, a 20mm grade used for agricultural purposes and 10mm grade used as soil improver for general composting and landscaping uses within the local area. What's even better is that, whilst helping to support the charity, you will be reducing your environmental impact too. Some of our trees are also chipped and used for composts locally, whilst others are chipped and donated to an animal rescue centre. So, as you can see, your tree's onward journey is far more valuable than just being put out after Christmas, you are helping us to take care of the planet and our patients one tree at a time.

When are the collections?

The scheme works differently depending on your area, to please head to Pilgrims Hospices website for information regarding Canterbury and Thanet.

Ashford Borough Council area doorstep collections will take place from 14th to 16th January 2023. Teams of Pilgrims volunteer elves will do all the hard work for you by collecting your tree from your home address. Register your tree and donate by midnight 9th January 2023.

Pilgrims Hospice will be collecting in the following areas