Quality Compost Created from Unwanted Trees

Christmas tree recycling points on the Island have been busier than ever, with Island residents taking the opportunity to recycle their trees. As well as a convenient way for residents to dispose of their unwanted trees, the thousands of trees collected will be recycled and used to create quality compost, which is available for purchase from the Island’s three civic amenity sites at very competitive rates.

All the trees placed in the recycling containers are taken to the Isle of Wight Council's Lynnbottom composting facility where they were shredded, along with other garden waste. The shredded foliage is then put into piles called ‘windrows’, which are turned regularly to aerate the pile and ensure all of the material takes a turn at the centre of the pile where it is warm and moist, encouraging the material to break down into compost.
The compost is produced to the high standard set by the BSI Publicly Available Specification for composted materials (BSI PAS 100). Created from the Island’s garden waste, it can be purchased from the Island’s civic amenity sites for £2.50 per 60l bag, with bulk quantities available on request.

Laura Kay, Isle of Wight Council Recycling and waste minimisation officer said:

"The compost created at Lynnbottom is safe, reliable and of a high standard and created wholly from the Island’s garden waste. The Christmas trees collected through the scheme are a welcome addition to the facility which produces around 1000 tonnes of compost per year."

Cllr Tim Hunter-Henderson, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for the environment and transport said:

"We are delighted that so many people are choosing to recycle their Christmas trees this year. The recycling points have been emptied and re-filled several times over since they were opened at the beginning of January, proving how convenient and popular the service is with residents."

The Christmas tree recycling points will remain in place across the Island until Friday 16 January 2009, Christmas trees and other garden waste will continue to be accepted at the civic amenity sites as usual.

Further information about recycling and waste minimisation can be found at www.iwight.com/waste.