Ways2Raise

What is it?

Christmas Tree Disposal is a simple, seasonal fundraising idea where you help your local community by collecting and disposing of their real Christmas trees after the holidays. This works well for teen fundraisers as it's a practical service most people need, especially when they don’t want the hassle of taking the tree to the tip themselves.

Why does it work?

People are often relieved to have someone take care of their tree disposal, especially after busy festive periods. By charging a reasonable fee per tree, you tap into a ready-made demand with minimal competition, making it easy to raise good money quickly during a short but intense time frame.

What you'll need

A reliable means of transport (car or van) or a way to carry trees safely
Strong gloves and suitable outdoor clothing
Flyers or posters to advertise your service locally
A mobile phone and/or social media accounts to arrange collections
Permission or a plan for where to take or recycle the trees (local recycling centre, garden waste site, or compost area)

Step-by-step plan

1

Check with your local council or recycling centre about the rules for tree disposal and find out where you can take the trees.

2

Decide on a fair fee (£5-£10 per tree is typical) and create a simple flyer or social media post offering your Christmas Tree Disposal service.

3

Advertise your service in your neighbourhood: distribute flyers door-to-door, post on local Facebook groups, community notice boards, and tell friends and family.

4

Arrange collection dates and times with customers, making sure you keep a clear schedule to manage your time effectively.

5

Collect the trees, wear gloves to protect your hands, and load them safely into your vehicle or carry them carefully on foot.

6

Take the collected trees to your agreed disposal or recycling point promptly to avoid storage issues.

7

Keep track of payments, preferably collecting cash on collection or using mobile payment apps like PayPal or bank transfers for convenience.

How to advertise it

Place flyers through letterboxes in your local area before and during early January
Post in community Facebook groups and neighbourhood apps like Nextdoor
Ask local shops or community centres if you can put up a poster
Share your service on your personal social media and ask friends to spread the word
Use word of mouth: tell family, friends, and neighbours directly

Realistic earnings

If you charge around £7 per tree and collect 20 trees during the disposal season, you can expect to raise approximately £140. With good advertising and planning, some teenagers manage to collect 30-40 trees, earning between £200-£400 in a few weeks.

Top tips

✅ Book collections in advance to manage your time and avoid last-minute rushes

✅ Wear sturdy gloves and old clothes because pine needles can be prickly and messy

✅ Be polite and punctual to build a good reputation and get referrals

✅ Check your local council's website for free or low-cost recycling sites to save money

Common mistakes to avoid

⚠️ Not securing a proper disposal location, resulting in illegal dumping or fines

⚠️ Trying to collect too many trees without enough transport or help, leading to delays

⚠️ Failing to advertise early enough, missing out on customers