NWL Enviro e-newsletter | December 2025

Three ways to recycle your real Christmas tree

Here are three ways you can recycle your real Christmas tree after the festive period:

1. Donate it to St Giles Hospice. They'll collect Christmas trees between Friday 9 January and Monday 12 January from DE12 and LE65 postcodes in return for a charity donation. You can book a collection online by Monday 5 January.
2. Put it inside your garden waste bin and put the bin out on your next scheduled garden waste day. The bin lid should be fully closed so you may need to cut the tree for it to fit.
   
   
3. Take it to your local household waste recycling site.

Do you have lots of extra recycling over the festive period?

If so, and you're running out of space in your red boxes, yellow bags and blue bags, we can collect extra recycling on your next scheduled recycling day.

Your waste, your responsibility

The festive season often brings extra waste, but it’s vital to dispose of it safely and legally.

If your waste is collected and later found to be fly‑tipped, you could face a fine or even prosecution.

Always check that anyone collecting your waste is a registered carrier.

Feast smart, waste less

Every year, UK households throw away 4.4 million tonnes of edible food.

For a family of four, that's an average of £1,000 wasted in a year - with Christmas staples like potatoes, poultry and carrots among the most wasted.

The humble potato is the top of the list with 41% of those bought going to waste.

Head over to Love Food, Hate Waste for guidance on making sure your food doesn't end up in the bin.

Switch Together Energy

Energy bills are in the press a lot at the moment, and as the weather gets colder, many of us will be looking at our heating settings to keep warm at home.

Did you know North West Leicestershire District Council takes part in an energy switch group buying scheme? Whilst it has just been re-branded as 'Switch Together Energy', there is no change to the scheme itself.

It is a great way to check if your current provider of gas and electricity is competitive. It's easy to register and it's free to take part. There is no obligation to take the offer made, but if you do, all the switching is handled for you.

What's also great is that the scheme provides a renewable electric tariff, so you will be doing your bit for the environment too.

Help to keep your home warm this winter

With winter here, here are a couple of ways you can get support to ensure your home is warm.

Leicestershire County Council's Warm Homes Support Officers can give practical advice on keeping warm and reducing costs, as well as information on grants to help add energy efficiency measures to your home.

Speak to one of the team on 0116 305 2524 or make a self-referral online.

There is also a new government funded Warm Homes grant scheme to improve energy efficiency in homes with funding until March 2028.

Eligibility is based on a privately owned home (either by you or your landlord) which has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of D, E, F or G. 

Household income must usually be £36,000 a year or less.  

You can find out if you are eligible for the scheme and apply online.

Big travel survey

Leicestershire County Council is asking you to have your say to help understand your travel options and how you get around Leicestershire.

Your feedback will help to build a transport system that enables people to get to work, health appointments, shops and supports our economy.

The survey asks about your travel habits, whether that's by car, bus, bike or on foot. The council would like to hear from everyone to identify barriers, understand travel patterns and support the transport network. 

Have your say and shape future transport options by filling out the survey online.