Tips for the proper disposal of Christmas trees in Prague

After the end of the Christmas season, many Christmas trees in Prague begin a second life. If disposed of correctly, they are turned into compost, wood chips or used to generate energy for households in the city.

After the holidays, many households face the question of what to do with their discarded Christmas tree. In Prague, trees should not be placed in bins or containers. Instead, they should be completely stripped of decorations and taken to a collection point for separated waste. Clean and properly disposed of trees can be recycled in line with the principles of the circular economy – for example as wood chips or compost. Artificial Christmas trees, on the other hand, must be taken to a recycling centre.

The nearest collection point for separated waste can be found quickly and easily using the online map at odpady.mojepraha.eu. In the city centre, where coloured collection containers are only available to a limited extent, Christmas trees may exceptionally be placed next to publicly accessible black residual waste bins – provided these are not located in inner courtyards, behind fences or inside buildings, but are permanently situated in public spaces.

Another option for proper disposal is offered by recycling centres. Addresses, opening hours and available services can also be found at odpady.mojepraha.eu/sberne-dvory. In addition to plant-based bio-waste, these centres accept wood, bulky waste, electrical appliances, cooking oils and fats, as well as artificial Christmas trees, which must not be placed in containers.

Last year, a total of 512 tonnes of Christmas bio-waste were generated in Prague. Well-cleaned trees are processed in composting facilities and turned into wood chips or compost. Contaminated or not fully stripped trees, however, are sent to the ZEVO Malešice waste-to-energy plant, where they are used to generate electricity and heat for Prague households.

Pražské služby also strongly appeal to the public not to dispose of Christmas trees in nature. Decorations left behind could harm animals in forests and parks.