Homeowners could face hefty £400 fine for throwing out one Christmas item incorrectly

After , Britons often find their homes filled with used wrapping paper, Christmas cards and sad-looking decorations which all need disposing of.

While most people know how to dispose of wrapping paper scraps and cards, one item many people struggle to dispose of is their real .

According to Statista, almost one in five Brits (17 percent) chose to buy a real Christmas tree last year.

However, every year Britons struggle to dispose of their trees with searches for ‘Christmas tree disposal’ rising by 1900 percent every year between December 31 and January 6.

Disposing of Christmas trees incorrectly could lead to fines of up to £400, according to experts at .

Brown bin disposal

Council disposal policies will vary, so it’s best to check the rules in your area before disposing of your tree this way.

If brown bin disposal is an option, trees must meet specific criteria and failing to comply could result in fines ranging from £60 to £100 under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Standard criteria for brown bin disposal:

Size: The tree should not exceed four feet by six feet. Any larger trees must be cut down.

Branch thickness: Branches should be no thicker than three centimetres. Cut down thicker branches to ensure they fit.

Bundling: Secure branches into manageable bundles.

Preparation: Make sure to remove the base and all decorations from the tree.

Bin lid: The bin lid must be able to close properly.

Leaving the tree on the street

Some local councils collect old Christmas trees if they’re left out on the street. However, if there is not a designated collection arrangement, leaving your Christmas tree on the road could be considered illegal dumping or fly-tipping in some areas.

Fly-tipping of a Christmas tree could leave people facing fines of up to £400 under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Areas such as Islington and Hackney in London allow residents to leave their Christmas trees outside. The council will then collect it on the scheduled recycling day.

Alternatively, residents can drop their trees off at a local drop-off point.

If these options are not available to you, the gardening experts at Crown Pavilions are urging Britons to consider alternative methods, like replanting trees if it still has roots.

If your plant does not have roots, replanting it is not an option.

Instead, gardeners can strip their trees down and use them as mulch or use the trees to support climbing plants in the spring months.

Chopping the tree down into sticks and then stacking it in a shady part of the garden is also an option as the tree will slowly break down over time.