AS FAMILIES box away the decorations, gobble up the turkey leftovers and slowly adjust to returning post-holiday normality, people are also finding creative ways to throw away their Christmas trees.
Thousands of people in mid Essex are being urged to donate their unwanted conifers to the council, a zoo and a charity.
Broomfield-based Farleigh Hospice aims to collect at least 200 trees from peoples' homes to raise £1,500 towards its funding pot.
Three-acre Butts Green Garden Centre in Mayes Lane, Sandon, meanwhile, has donated 50 trees to Colchester Zoo after it had plenty left over from the festive period.
"We're animal-lovers here and I don't want to burn them, that would be criminal, and I don't want them to be cut," said manager Beth Devine.
"Sadly enough, after doing rounds in other garden centres to see if it's something we're doing wrong, it seems there is a lot of leftover trees elsewhere too."
Fifteen volunteers in five vans, including Farleigh's own branded vehicle, will drive out to homes within postcodes CM1, CM2 and CM3 on the weekend of January 10 and 11, to collect as part of its first tree recycling initiative.
Residents can sign up for a minimum £5 donation online, with 80 per cent of their fee going straight to the charity, which cares for patients with life-limiting illnesses at the hospice and in their homes.
"We're hoping the scheme will be a great success," said fundraising manager Sarah Williamson.
"Throwing away the Christmas tree can be a bit sad, but with this scheme people can rest assured that they are doing a great thing and helping to provide essential support for local people affected by illnesses."
Anyone interested living outside the postcode areas should ask the charity to expand the service next year.
