No cost for eco-friendly service

Rome's refuse collection service AMA has requested that people recycle their Christmas trees, rather than dispose of them illegally in street bins, at any of its 14 collection centres for bulky waste or 22 mobile collection points, on Sunday 11 January, between 08.00 and 13.00.

The collected trees will be sent to the AMA facility in Maccarese, 20km west of the capital, to be turned into high-quality fertiliser and compost. In the cases of healthy, potted Christmas trees the forestry department will replanted them at its headquarters in Arcinazzo Romano, 50km east of Rome, as part of its environmental education programme.

AMA has also advised that artificial Christmas trees, which cannot be recycled, must be disposed of at its 14 designated centres or else by availing of AMA's door-to-door collection service for bulky refuse. There is no fee for the eco-friendly service which is organised by AMA now in its ninth year.

For locations of collection points and other relevant information tel. 800867035 or see the AMA website.

The Swedish furniture store IKEA is also offering to take back Christmas trees purchased at its Porta di Roma outlet (but not the store at Anagnina), every day until 12 January. After presenting their receipt of purchase, customers will receive a voucher for the same amount to be spent in the store. IKEA promises to donate €2 to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for each tree returned. For details see IKEA website.