Dublin Launches World’s First Artificial Christmas Tree Recycling

UPDATE: Dublin has officially become the first city in the world to launch a dedicated recycling program for artificial Christmas trees. This groundbreaking initiative, named Project reTREE, is set to run from November 15, 2025, to January 31, 2026, allowing residents to responsibly recycle their artificial trees at designated drop-off locations.

Recent research from Balsam Hill reveals that over 1 million artificial Christmas trees are discarded annually across the Republic of Ireland. Alarmingly, a survey shows that 35% of Irish citizens believe these trees are recycled, while the reality is that most are incinerated or sent to landfill.

This innovative pilot program is a collaborative effort involving Balsam Hill, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council, WEEE Ireland, Thorntons Recycling, and Panda. Dubliners can drop off their trees at either the Ballyogan Recycling Centre in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown or Ballymount Civic Amenity in South Dublin. As an added incentive, individuals who recycle their trees will receive a 10% discount voucher for a new Balsam Hill tree.

The importance of this initiative is underscored by the fact that 68% of respondents in Ireland plan to celebrate with an artificial tree this year, and a significant 33% of these trees are already between five to ten years old. Furthermore, 69% of the population agrees that a national recycling scheme for artificial trees is necessary.

Mac Harman, founder and CEO of Balsam Brands, emphasizes the significance of Project reTREE:

“To demonstrate our dedication to a circular economy in the Christmas market and for our customers, we are incredibly proud to announce the launch of Project reTREE in Dublin, where we have our global headquarters. This represents a big step forward in our sustainability journey and there’s more to do.”

The pilot aims to reduce the environmental impact of artificial trees and explore the potential for a circular economy in this sector. Balsam Hill is actively seeking to extend this program beyond Dublin, with plans for future expansion into the UK, continental Europe, and the US.

With this pioneering effort, Dublin sets a new standard for sustainability during the holiday season and highlights the importance of responsible waste management. Residents are encouraged to participate in this initiative and contribute to a greener future.

For further details, visit Balsam Hill’s sustainability page: balsamhill.co.uk/sustainability.