Garden Links

Recycle Your Christmas Cards & Help The Woodland Trust in 2009

31st December, 2008

The Woodland Trust has launched its annual Christmas Card Recycling Scheme. If everyone in the UK recycles just one Christmas card with the Woodland Trust this year, the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity will be able to plant 15,000 trees.

So imagine how many trees the charity could plant if everyone recycles all their cards in the special bins at WHSmith1, Tesco2, TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer3, stores, throughout January. The cards are recycled which generates money, which the Woodland Trust uses to create new woods in the UK.

Samia Smith, who plays Maria Connor in Coronation Street

“Over one billion Christmas cards will be sent this year, which is a huge amount! If everyone recycled just one card it would help the Woodland Trust plant 15,000 trees, so remember to support the Woodland Trust Christmas Card Recycling Scheme and take your cards to WHSmith, Tesco, TK Maxx or Marks and Spencer stores to be recycled. Log onto www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/cards for more information.”

The public’s efforts last year helped collect 73.6 million cards, bringing the Christmas Card Recycling Scheme’s 12 year total to 600 million cards recycled. This has enabled the Woodland Trust to plant 141,000 trees, save 12,000 tonnes of paper from going to landfill, and stop 16,000 tonnes of CO2 from going into the atmosphere – the equivalent of taking more than 5,0002, cars off the road for a year.

The UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe with only 12% woodland compared to 44% on the continent.

Of this only 4% is wildlife friendly broadleaf woodland where some of the country’s most endangered species live. The Woodland Trust’s primary aim is to double this native woodland and increase these vital habitats.

Sue Holden, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said: “A world without trees would be a pretty desolate place. By recycling just one card each this year at WHSmith, Tesco, TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer stores throughout January, you can help us plant thousands of trees and move one step closer to achieving our vision of doubling native woodland in the UK.

“I would like to ask as many people as possible to recycle their Christmas cards with the Woodland Trust, as the more woodland you help us plant, the more vital habitats we can create where endangered species such as dormice, red squirrels and the magnificent Red Kite can thrive. Woodlands are also beautiful outdoor playgrounds, enjoyed by people of all ages throughout their lives.”

The Woodland Trust was established in 1972 and now owns more than 1,000 woods throughout the UK, which are open free for all to enjoy.

Visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/cards www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/cards for further information.

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