Discarded Christmas trees in Stockholm used as fish habitats

In a bid to restore endangered ecosystems and provide a welcoming habitat for marine life, discarded Christmas trees in Stockholm are being recycled by the national sport fishing association Sportfiskarna. 

Since 2016, this initiative has gained admiration from environmentalists while giving a second life to the trees that once adorned cozy homes in Stockholm.

All collected trees come from retailers who source evergreens that have not been sprayed with pesticides. On a freezing January morning, tinsel and ornaments are stripped away, and heavy rocks replace them before the trees are launched into the frigid waters of the Hammarby Sjostad industrial zone.

Malin Kjellin, head of the Sportfiskarna project, explains that the construction and boat traffic in the area has led to vegetation loss, impacting the availability of crucial fish spawning habitats. “It’s really hard to get (the habitat) back naturally,” says Kjellin, highlighting the significance of this recycling effort in substituting what has been lost.

Over the years, more than 1000 trees have been collected and deployed at various locations. The submerged trees have proven to be effective habitats, as underwater footage shows gelatinous clusters of fish larvae nestled in the branches.

Yvonne Blomback from the environmental group WWF explains that these fish play a crucial role in the Baltic Sea ecosystem by controlling harmful algae. Over-fertilization caused by human activities, particularly farming, is a widespread issue in the Baltic Sea.

Camilla Hallstrom, a Stockholmer participating in the recycling project, emphasizes the significance of finding environmentally friendly solutions for reusing Christmas trees, especially in Sweden where the trees are chosen carefully and celebrated with personality.

The recycling of Christmas trees to create marine habitats is not only a creative solution to environmental challenges but also shows the potential people have to make a positive impact on their surroundings. Stockholm’s discarded Christmas trees are being given a purpose that reaches far beyond the holiday season.