Once Christmas is over, the tree starts losing its needles… and quickly takes up too much space in the living room. Fortunately, in Luxembourg, there are several simple ways to dispose of it properly.

Municipal collection: the easiest option

At the beginning of January, most Luxembourg municipalities organise a specific Christmas tree collection, usually between 8 and 15 January. To check the exact dates and collection times, it’s best to visit your municipality’s website.

The tree must be natural, without decorations or flocking, and placed in front of your home or at a designated collection point. Trees taller than two metres should be cut in half to make collection easier. Once collected, trees are shredded or composted, and some are even used for traditional Buergbrennen (Bonfire Festival) fires in February.

Recycling centre: what you need to know

If you miss the municipal collection, the recycling centre is a reliable alternative. A natural tree should be disposed of with green waste. Please note: flocked or painted trees cannot be recycled, as the treatments used are not biodegradable.

An artificial tree, designed for long-term use, usually lasts around eight years. When it reaches the end of its life, it should be sorted according to the materials it is made of.

Garden: replant or recycle smartly

If you have a garden, several options are available. A potted tree can be replanted if it has been well cared for indoors and gradually acclimatised to colder temperatures. Otherwise, branches and needles make excellent natural mulch, protecting plants, limiting weeds and improving soil quality.

The tree can also be dried and shredded for compost, or used as kindling, provided it is completely natural and untreated.

Your tree brightened up your Christmas — it deserves a responsible retirement !