Viennese Christmas trees bring light and warmth – Christmas in Vienna

The Christmas season officially ends with the light of Mary on February 2, but most of Vienna’s Christmas trees begin their final journey shortly after Christmas.

Disused Christmas trees are collected by MA 48 at 546 specially established collection points and then recycled at the Pfaffenau waste incineration plant in Vienna-Simmering. Wien Energie uses the energy it generates to generate electricity and district heating for thousands of Viennese homes, so Christmas trees also provide light and warmth to Viennese living rooms in their “second life”.

Last year, more than 170,000 Christmas trees or more than 750 tons were taken to Christmas tree collection points in the urban area of ​​Vienna. From here the trees begin their way to the firewood.

MA 48 brings the decorated Christmas trees to Pfaffenau in Simmering, where the Christmas trees are thermally recycled along with the mixed household waste and thus an additional benefit is obtained: Wien Energie uses the energy generated during combustion. to produce electricity and heat.

Around 1,900 megawatt hours of energy can be extracted from this number of Christmas trees. This means that around 1,000 households can receive electricity and around 2,500 households with district heating for one month.

From December 28 to January 17, 2021, the Viennese can use the regular service of the Christaum collection points on MA 48. In addition, trees can be deposited in the Vienna compost all year round.

Christmas tree decorations have no place at collection points, so all jewelry such as hooks, tinsel, or glass balls must be removed. Some of these clean trees also serve as a feast for the Pinzgau goats at the Rautenweg landfill.

Information on the collection points is already available on the online city map of the city of Vienna and in app 48. Other questions are also gladly answered on the manure phone on 01 – 546 48.