North Somerset Council and Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm are aiming to repurpose up to 4,000 Christmas trees this winter, expanding a long-running partnership designed to reduce seasonal waste and support environmental and community initiatives.
Thousands of Christmas trees are set to be given a second life in North Somerset this winter as the local authority renews its annual partnership with Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm to recycle and repurpose festive trees.
Now in its sixth year, the scheme has already diverted an estimated 10,000 real Christmas trees from disposal since it began. Following a record 3,500 trees recycled last Christmas, North Somerset Council and the zoo are targeting up to 4,000 trees during the 2025/26 festive season.
Each January, this campaign remains one of our favourite ways to begin the year,” he said. “It’s a great initiative that benefits our animals, our local community, and the environment.
Under the initiative, a proportion of the collected trees will be used within animal enclosures at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, where they provide sensory enrichment through new scents and textures. Remaining trees will be chipped and mulched for use in land regeneration projects across the zoo site, ensuring that all material is reused.
The council and its contractor, Glendale Services, will provide staff on site to support the recycling operation.
Climate and waste reduction benefits
The project forms part of North Somerset Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, which commits the authority to reducing carbon emissions and minimising waste. The council said the initiative helps to cut methane emissions associated with organic waste, reduce transport and disposal impacts, promote reuse, and support sustainable land management.
Alongside the zoo partnership, the council continues to support charity-led Christmas tree collections run by Weston Hospicecare and St Peter’s Hospice. Since the scheme began, the two charities have raised more than £64,000 through their annual collections.
Community and sector collaboration
Cllr Annemieke Waite, cabinet member for planning and environment at North Somerset Council, said the initiative demonstrated the benefits of collaboration between local authorities, charities and private organisations.
“This project shows what can be achieved when public, private and charitable organisations work together,” she said. “Recycling and repurposing real Christmas trees not only reduces waste and carbon impact, but also supports animal welfare, land regeneration and vital hospice services across our communities.”
Larry Bush, director of Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, said the programme had become a regular fixture at the start of each year.
“Each January, this campaign remains one of our favourite ways to begin the year,” he said. “It’s a great initiative that benefits our animals, our local community, and the environment. We’re on track for our biggest and most impactful year yet with the recycling programme.”
Collection options for residents
Residents can drop off Christmas trees at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm between 27 December and 25 January. Alternatively, trees can be collected through one of the supported charity schemes.
Weston Hospicecare is accepting bookings until 6 January, with collections taking place on 10 January. St Peter’s Hospice is taking bookings until 4 January, with collections scheduled between 9 and 11 January.
Households signed up to North Somerset Council’s garden waste service can also leave their Christmas tree out for collection during their first scheduled garden waste round in January.
The council has published further guidance on Christmas tree recycling and disposal options on its website.
