People in Oxford are being urged to consider the environment when clearing up after the Christmas and New Year revelry.

Oxford City Council will be providing 17 recycling points across the city where old Christmas trees can be taken and turned into wood chips free of charge.

John Tanner, executive member for a cleaner, greener Oxford, said: “Please join me in a New Year’s Resolution to do even more to help the environment.

“We can all start by recycling our Christmas tree at one of the city council centres across Oxford.

“Don’t bung your fir tree in the bin, take it to a collection point near you.”

Once the trees are converted into wood chips, they will be used in the city’s parks and open spaces.

City residents have also been presented with a Christmas ‘sack’ made of 100 per cent recycled plastic to help householders recycle all the extra packaging and wrapping generated over the festive period.

The bags, provided by Oxfordshire Waste Partnership, were due to be delivered to every home across Oxford before Christmas.

Extra bags are available at the City Works depot, Temple Cowley Pools, Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre, and Ferry Sports Centre.

They can be filled with paper, card, plastics and cans, and will be picked up with the normal recycling for two weeks after Christmas.

Mr Tanner said: “We can all try to reduce the amount of waste we make over Christmas, but if there are still too many recyclables for the normal collection, residents can use their Christmas sack.

“We hope these extra recycling sacks will help residents reduce their Christmas footprint.”

Christmas tree collection points are open from tomorrow, to Sunday, January 11. Trees can be dropped off at: * Alexandra Tennis Courts, Middle Way, Summertown.

* Atkyns Road, Wood Farm.

* Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre car park.

* Bury Knowle Park, North Place car park.

* Cutteslowe Park, Harbord Road.

* Elizabeth Green, Northway Estate.

* Florence Park, Cowley.

* Green Road, Barton.

* Hinksey Park, Abingdon Road.

* Long Lane, Littlemore.

* Manzil Gardens, Cowley Road.

* Meadow Lane recreation ground, Iffley Road.

* Oatlands recreation ground, Ferry Hinksey Road.

* Quarry recreation ground, Margaret Road.

* Redbridge Waste Recycling Centre, Abingdon Road.

* South Park, Morrell Avenue.

* Sunnymead recreation ground.

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk