Pilgrims Hospices’ eco-friendly Tree Recycling campaign returns
Each January, many Christmas trees head to landfills once the festive season comes to an end. But thanks to Pilgrims Hospices’ annual Tree Recycling campaign, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Each year, thousands of Pilgrims supporters recycle their Christmas trees, helping to reduce their environmental impact and raise vital funds for local hospice care.
The Tree Recycling campaign began over 13 years ago in the Ashford Borough Council area, thanks to a group of dedicated hospice volunteers, who are still pivotal in supporting the Ashford campaign today.
Then in 2022, the charity ‘branched’ out to cover Canterbury City Council and Thanet District Council areas; as well as hosting a drop-off station in Faversham with ‘tree-rific’ success.
Since its inception, the charity has collected over 20,000 trees, raised more than £368,000, and prevented over 320 tonnes of CO₂e from entering the atmosphere.
In 2025, the campaign raised a staggering £78,000, directly supporting patients and their families across east Kent. These funds are raised simply by registering your tree and making a donation online. So, you can ‘leaf’ the hard work to our wonderful team of Pilgrims elves, who collect and recycle your real Christmas trees.
A greener way to give
This incredible impact wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of our local communities and volunteers, whose bright idea grew into a campaign that has more than 75 volunteers involved each year, helping to raise vital funds, ensuring we can be there for those who need us.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of local businesses and volunteers who donate their time, vehicles and facilities, in 2025 we were able to collect over 4,200 Christmas trees, preventing more than 67 tonnes of CO₂e from entering the atmosphere. Instead of going to a landfill and releasing harmful methane, the trees are chipped and repurposed into mulch or compost-eco-friendly by-products that break down slowly and sustainably. A ‘tree-rific’ example of community collaboration for a shared environmental and social goal.
The second life of Christmas trees
Our collections are carefully planned using digital mapping software, allowing us to design the most efficient routes. This reduces travel distances, maximises household collections, and lowers our overall carbon footprint. Once collected, trees are taken to our Canterbury or Thanet hospice sites, where they’re chipped and repurposed for environmental landscaping across east Kent. Some of the chippings are even used within our own hospice grounds, while others are donated to local composting projects or animal rescue centres, giving your tree a second life in the most sustainable way.
Every tree continues to do good long after the decorations come down. It’s a simple act with a powerful impact.
Tree Recycling 2026
Mark your calendars!
Pilgrims Hospices’ much-loved campaign returns in January 2026:
- Canterbury and Thanet: Friday 9 – Monday 12 January 2026
- Ashford: Saturday 10 – Sunday 11 January 2026
Online bookings will open via the Pilgrims Hospices website from October 2025.
All bookings will close on 5 January 2026, the twelfth and final day of the Christmas season (unless maximum capacity is reached earlier).
Supporters can register their tree for collection in exchange for a donation of their choice. Our dedicated teams of volunteer elves, full of festive spirit, will be out in vans collecting trees across all three hospice areas.
By recycling your Christmas tree with Pilgrims, you’ll be doing more than just clearing out the old for the New Year.
