Hundreds of people took part in our winter fundraising initiative last year where real Christmas trees were collected and then recycled.

 

The Hospice received the donations for the uplift made for the trees and Sustainable Thinking Scotland (STS CIC) Community Interest Company received the trees, turning them into a range of eco-friendly Biochar products through a non-destructive process:

 

• Branches are stripped and trees chopped up.
• Placed in a kiln which heats the wood to over 450 degrees Celsius.
• Remove the combustible gases and use around 5% of the carbon content as energy to run the kiln process.
• Capture 95% of the carbon in the wood in a solid stable form which resists decay for over 1000 years.
• Once Biochar ready it’s placed on a shaker table device which removes the powder.
• The powder can be used as a sand replacement in concrete manufacturing.
• Larger granules get separated for different uses including as a soil improver, water purifier, and a gas filtration medium.

 

Sean Kerr from STS CIC said: “We are delighted to work alongside Strathcarron on this initiative which helps raise valuable funds for the Hospice and helps the circular economy by recycling the trees into eco-friendly products.”

 

Claire Kennedy, Corporate Fundraiser, Strathcarron Hospice said: “It has been fantastic to partner with STS on this project and see where the trees end up and how they are processed.

 

“Last year’s initiative raised an amazing £7000 for the Hospice which was vital for the running of our services.

 

“We are looking forward to running the scheme again this winter with the support of local businesses and volunteers. By offering a service to local people we will take the hassle out of disposing of their real trees after Christmas whilst raising vital funds for local Hospice.

 

“We would be very happy to hear from any businesses who can support the campaign – particularly those with access to vans – and hope this will offer businesses a good opportunity for their staff to help raise hundreds of pounds for their local Hospice as well as having a positive impact on the local environment”.

The Hospice needs £16, 637 daily to provide all the specialist end of life care services to individuals and their communities.

Keep an eye on our social media channels for more information about disposing of your real Christmas tree this winter to help the Hospice.

 

The initiative is run in partnership with Just Helping https://just-helping.org.uk/

Find out more about the fantastic work of Sustainable Thinking Scotland 

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