Drop off your (real) Christmas tree for free this holiday season
Published on 28 November 2024
Christmas is just around the corner, and with it comes some changes to rubbish and recycling collections in Palmerston North.
This year, we’ll be focusing on the busy holiday rush, which means there won’t be kerbside collections for real Christmas trees.
Acting Manager of Resource Recovery, Natasha Hickmott, explains why this adjustment is a step in the right direction.
“Over the past few years, kerbside Christmas tree collections only served a tiny fraction of Palmy households – less than 1%. However, they still required a separate truck and staff, which meant diverting resources during our busiest time of year. By focusing on regular collections, we can better manage the holiday rush – especially for recycling, which skyrockets in December and January. Glass, we’re looking at you!”
The good news? You can still drop your real Christmas tree off at the Awapuni Resource Recovery Park for free from Boxing Day through to the end of January. Don't forget to take off the decorations first!
“By dropping off your tree, you’re helping us turn it into compost for our parks and reserves,” Natasha says. “It’s a great way to end the festive season sustainably – turning your tree into something that gives back to the community.”
Kerbside collection dates this Christmas
There is no rubbish and recycling collection on Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December. If your usual collection day is Wednesday, please put your rubbish and recycling out on Saturday 28 December instead. Not sure whether to put out your recycling wheelie bin or your glass crate? Check our recycling days finder
Collections will go ahead as normal on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Opening hours at our recycling facilities
Closed on Christmas Day.
Our Awapuni and Ferguson Street facilities will be open with reduced hours on public holidays (Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and 2 January):
- Ferguson Street Recycling Centre: 10am to 3pm
- Awapuni Resource Recovery Park: 12pm to 4pm
For more information on recycling in Palmy, visit our rubbish and recycling hub.