Centre welcomes return of Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme

This year, our centre is once again taking part in a Christmas tree recycling scheme that cares for both community and common home.

The Christmas Tree Recycling scheme is a project managed by UK charity JustHelping – which collects and recycles used Christmas trees to raise funds for local charities.

Last year, 300 trees were delivered to the centre through the scheme, all of which were recycled into chipping to be used at the centre.

Dr Emma Gardner oversees our work at the Laudato Si’ Centre and is delighted to be involved in the scheme.

She said: “This fantastic initiative is a wonderful example of the difference we can make by reusing materials that would otherwise go to waste.

“Chipping is such a valuable resource that we use regularly at the centre to help support the healthy growth of fruit, herbs, and vegetables whilst reducing grass grow-back and weed coverage.

“But the chipping from last year’s trees made a huge difference to our woodland area in particular as it provided much of the material for our accessible pathway.”

In addition to the environmental benefits of the scheme, the Christmas Tree Recycling Project also helps to support the local community by raising funds for local charities through donations from service users.

This year, money raised through collections across Salford, Stockport, and Trafford will be donated to St Ann’s Hospice and Francis House Children’s Hospice, as well as a number of other local charities.

Dr Emma Gardener said: “Time and again Pope Francis reminds us that our outlook must be both social and environmental. This project is a great way to live out that call practically by making our Christmas traditions more sustainable and helping to support vital local charities in the process.”

If you would like to find out more about the scheme in your area, please visit https://just-helping.org.uk/register-tree/