In Russia, post-holiday measures for recycling real Christmas trees have been proposed
After the New Year festivities wrap up, Russia would need to open dedicated state collection points where spruce trees are accepted for further processing. This proposal has been advanced by Roman Korniets, who chairs the Natural Resources Association. He also advocates for introducing a single recycling fee that would be factored into the price of Christmas trees sold. The call follows a social activist appeal to the head of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Alexander Kozlov, and has been reported by RT as part of ongoing discussions about holiday waste management.
The argument, echoed in Korniets’ letter, highlights that while artificial Christmas trees remain popular in many homes, a majority of Russians still favor live trees for holiday decorating. The annual recycling issue of Christmas trees—trees that are ideally suited for reuse as recyclable materials after the celebrations—continues to surface with every season.
In response, Korniets urged the establishment of nationwide fir tree collection points. He suggested that such points could operate across Russia from January through March, providing a convenient pathway for residents to drop off their trees after the holidays. The goal is to divert real trees from landfills and give them new life as environmentally useful materials, from mulch to soil conditioners, or as raw feedstock for recycling facilities.
Experts point out that live spruce trees generally have a smaller environmental footprint than artificial ones because they need less energy-intensive processing. While some plastics-based trees can be recycled, the overall ecological impact tends to be lower when real trees are used for longer periods and responsibly disposed of after use. These assessments reinforce the importance of a systematic collection network that keeps real trees out of the waste stream and connects them with recycling streams designed to maximize reuse and resource recovery.
Previously, residents of Moscow discussed practical questions such as where to obtain live spruce trees to decorate homes for the New Year. The conversation has since broadened to include how to manage post-holiday waste in a way that respects the environment and supports sustainable forestry practices. The proposed points of collection and the associated fees are part of a broader strategy to improve waste management and reduce ecological impact during the festive season, while still allowing families to enjoy the tradition of a natural tree in their homes. The initiative suggests that clear guidelines and accessible drop-off sites could make a real difference, turning a seasonal cleanup into a long-term environmental benefit for communities across the country, with potential implications for policy considerations and consumer choices alike.