There comes a point in time where you’re all ‘spruced’ out and it’s time for a home interior refresh, so here’s all the ways you can recycle your Christmas tree in Greater Manchester.
Christmas has been and gone, but there’s no party blues yet, as the new year is just around the corner, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.
After taking down all those decorations from your tree, you may be stumped on what to do with it next, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
They say you learn something new every day, so if the ‘Twixmas’ period is when you like to take down your Christmas decs and start anew, then let us tell you about all of the different ways to dispose of your once-decorated greenery.
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Recycle your real Christmas tree in food and garden bin
You can pop your real Christmas tree into your food waste / garden bin, as long as its chopped and trimmed, with the trunk needing to be thinner than your wrist – but only if it isn’t possible take it to a Christmas tree recycling point instead.
Or you could continue the Christmas spirit by replanting your tree into your garden and keep it as a reminder of the fun of the festive season all year long.
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Additionally, you can try returning your tree to the retailer or vendor you bought it from, whether that’s a shop or garden centre, but just make sure you check you can do this beforehand.
There are loads of different ways to recycle your Christmas tree in Greater Manchester / Credit: Flickr
Take it to your local tip
Christmas trees are accepted at all 20 recycling centres within Greater Manchester for free.
How ever you choose to give your tree the big send-off, make sure to apply for a specific vehicle permit if you’re giving your tree a more spacious mode of transport – such as a van, pick-up truck or a twin-axle trailer.
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You can also drop off any unwanted ornaments here too, including that one that’s progressively been making its way to the back of the tree each year (we’ve all got one).
Artificial trees will be welcomed at all these locations too, so all that’s left to do is find your nearest recycling centre here.
You can find more information and register your tree here.
Greater Manchester residents can get all the advice they need online / Credit: Sean Foster (via Unsplash)
Donate to charity
Local charity, Just Helping, is providing collection services in some of the key Greater Manchester areas.
Everyone at this charity – which launched in 2012, and operates 106 collection areas nationwide – is not only helping to raise money for other Greater Manchester charities, but they’re also eco warriors too, as recycling Christmas trees prevents 82,000 kg of carbon dioxide emissions.
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Anyone thinking of utilising these services can do so here.
If you’re still struggling on what to do with your Christmas tree, you can find more tips and advice on your local Council’s website with a link to each borough’s Council here.
Pep Guardiola in talks over first international management role
Danny Jones
Football icon and Manchester City legend Pep Guardiola is reportedly set for his first job since leaving the Etihad Stadium, as the Catalan head coach looks like he could be set to make his move into international management.
The generational manager, who has undoubtedly become one of, if not the greatest of all time, left Man City at the end of last season after a decade in East Manchester.
Stepping away from the sky blue side with 20 trophies in 10 years, he’s won pretty much everything there is to win – at least at club level, anyway.
With that in mind, multiple outlets are now claiming that Guardiola is getting ready to make his debut on the international circuit, already being heavily linked with a role as part of ‘gli Azzurri’.
EXCLUSIVE: The FIGC has met with Pep Guardiola to convince him to take over as national team head coach, according to Sky in Italy 🚨🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/qmzjunjur4
Yes, as per Sky News’ sporting arm over in Italy, Pep is now rumoured to be the next person to take the job in their national team, which would be his first proper senior position in international football.
According to Sky, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have already held meetings with the former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City boss.
It remains unclear how advanced talks and/or negotiations have progressed up to this point, but it is said that fellow footballing veteran and AC Milan legend turned FIGC technical director, Paolo Maldini, has already travelled to meet the 55-year-old.
Believed to have been joined by former teammate and right-hand man Leonardo Araújo – who previously served as director at PSG – it looks to be more a case of whether Pep wants the job rather than if Italy want him.
From announcing a documentary series covering his final season at Man City, to even launching a dedicated ‘Decade of Pep’ fashion collection, it’s fair to say that both the club and the fan base are bidding a bittersweet goodbye.
Pep has already made it clear that he can’t see himself ever managing the Spanish national team, remarking: “I am a Catalan. I don’t see myself ever managing Spain.”
Meanwhile, other names rumoured as options for the Italian manager’s job include Andrea Pirlo and a return by fellow ex-MCFC boss, Roberto Mancini. Can you see Pep pipping any of these to the post?
As for his former club and ‘second home’, Cityzens will be glad to hear that while it may be all change over at the Etihad Campus, there is plenty to be hopeful about – including some steps more in the right direction when it comes to tickets.
When Manchester City’s cheap tickets for £10 or less go live, and how to get your hands on them
Danny Jones
For those who missed the news, Man City recently announced a new tier of affordable tickets for those living in the East Manchester area, essentially providing those living in the local area with match experiences for just a tenner.
In fact, those eligible for concessions can grab a seat for only £7.50 and nearby kids under 18 for merely a fiver as part of the scheme.
Now THIS is the kind of stuff we want to see from football clubs.
Essentially based on postcode proximity to the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City supporters who fit the native criteria can put their name in for numerous Premier League, domestic cup and European games this season; but how exactly does it work?
Put simply, Mancs living in the Manchester City Council wards listed below, which immediately surround the ever-expanding home ground and wider Campus, can apply:
Miles Platting & Newton Heath
Ancoats & Beswick
Ardwick
Clayton & Openshaw
Gorton & Abbey Hey
Man City local residents scheme – how does it work?
For starters, it’s worth noting that between 100-500 unreserved tickets will be put aside for each game in the coming 2026/27 campaign, all of which will be assigned via a random ballot.
Those who meet the criteria (i.e. live in the aforementioned areas) also don’t need to have an official Matchday Membership; you simply need a Cityzens account, which can be created totally free.
Once your address has been verified, you can enter the ballots for your chosen fixtures, and then it’s just a case of keeping your fingers crossed that your name gets pulled out of that.
You can see a full list of FAQs, along with the relevant terms and conditions, right HERE.
You can expect even more Man City Women’s matches on the biggest stage following their latest title.
When do they go live?
At present, tickets for upcoming Manchester City games will be available across the board from 10am GMT on Tuesday 21 July.
However, fans are being encouraged to sign up to the club’s mailing list for all news and ticketing updates, especially when it comes to this new localised discount category.
With the Etihad currently in the middle of a major redevelopment, including even more seats up in the newly expanded North Stand, Blues should stand an even better chance of getting along to a game or two than ever.
It’s also worth noting that the section of the arena has been officially named after their beloved manager and club legend, Pep Guardiola, who left the serial winners this summer after a decade – a farewell period which will now be covered in an upcoming documentary.
With new head coach Enzo Maresca having now returned to the club in the top position after previous roles as assistant and U23s/EDS boss, plenty will be hoping to be there for the start of this next chapter for the Blues.
They’ll also be welcoming back their Champions League, Ballon d’Or, Euro 2024, Club World Cup and now World Champion in Rodri for the fast-approaching 26/27 term.
Thomas Melia -
31st December 2024 
