Tubex Tree Shelter Collection & Recycling Programme

£ each • exc. VAT inc. VAT

Note: The minimum order quantity for the Tubex Collection & Recycling scheme is 6 bags.

SKU	qty	price	price_excl_tax	Save
Recycling Bulk Bag (~350-400 standard tree shelters per bag)	6	£46.80	£39.00	2%

Collection and Recycling

Qty

Recycling Bulk Bag (~350-400 standard tree shelters per bag)

46.80 39.00

Reset Quantities

Skip to the end of the images gallery

Skip to the beginning of the images gallery

Tubex Distributor

We are an official Tubex distributor.

Minimum Order Value

Please note that there is a minimum order value of £50.00 + VAT, excluding delivery.

Delivery

There is no delivery charge for the Tubex Collection & Recycling scheme. Any delivery charge calculated within the basket is for additional lines. For full details on delivery please view our delivery page.

Introduction

Research has shown that saplings protected by Tubex tree protection have consistent survival rates (over 90%).

Once their useful life protecting a tree has come to an end, the Tree Shelter Collection & Recycling Programme by Tubex aims to create a second life for Tubex Tree Shelters by reusing the plastic in them.

Tubex have a bespoke recycling centre and can recycle any genuine Tubex tube, however old and whatever its condition and (new for 2023) any other brand of tree shelter provided it is made of Polypropylene. You can identify Polypropylene by a small ‘PP’ symbol on the guard. If in doubt – check with your original supplier.

It is the first closed loop scheme of its kind in the UK (plant > protect > remove > collect > recycle), giving tree shelters a new life, while ensuring a clean environment.

There are two ways to recycle your spent tubes.

1. Collect your tubes into bulk bags and have the bags collected.
2. Or, collect your tubes into bulk bags and drop them off at Tubex's new (for 2023) drop off hubs.

Collected bulk bags cost £39/bag, including doorstep collection. The minimum order quantity is 6. Place your order online or phone the office.

Bulk bags for drop off are free, with a minimum order quantity of 1. Phone the office to order 'drop off' bulk bags.

Collections run from May to September (i.e. outside of the bare root planting season), however bags can be sent out all year round to be filled in preparation for collection.

Drop off hubs are open at certain times. See FAQ’s for further details.

Features & Benefits

Features & Benefits

Introduced in 2021, the Tubex Collection & Recycling Programme has delivered impressive results.

Tubex made over 45 collections across mainland UK, ranging from the south coast up to Scotland, and from Wales to the east coast.

150,000 used tree shelters were collected.

This is the equivalent of 25 tonnes of material to be made into new tree shelters.

A great start – which we hope will be followed by an even busier collection programme this coming season.

The new 'drop off' hubs, mean collected shelters can be dropped off to be recycled free of charge. For those not in a position to drop off filled bags, then Tubex have also invested to maintain last season’s collection price of just £39/collected bag anywhere on the UK mainland (minimum of 6 bags/location). These two developments are designed to further improve accessibility to the scheme to promote recycling.

How To Order

Step 1: Order

How many bags

Estimate how many Tubex Tree Shelters or other Polypropylene shelters you plan to recycle. Each Tubex bulk bag can hold c.350 to 400 nested tubes.

Minimum order quantity (MDOQ)

MOQ for paid collection is 6 bulk bags.

MOQ for customer drop off is 1 bulk bag.

Collection method

Choose from one of two collection options:

A. Collection: Doorstep collection of filled bags (minimum 6 bags). This service costs £39.00 + VAT / bag.

B. Drop off: Take filled bulk bags (minimum 1 bag) to one of 14 national (see map) hubs free of charge.

Place order

For Collection Bags: Order online or call the office to place your order.

For 'Drop Off' Bags: Call the office Mon to Fri 8.30am to 5pm to place your order.

Bulk bags delivered

Once placed, your order will be processed and bulk bags will be sent out directly to you by Tubex.

Step 2: Removal

To remove the Tubex Tree Shelter (or other Polypropylene shelter), open or cut the cable tie* and remove from the tube.

Remove the stake.

Tip: We recommend wearing gloves and using a safety knife when removing tubes.

Slit the tube down the join line using a safety knife to avoid damaging the tree.

Open the tube and remove.

Nest the tubes together and place in the bulk bag, with the ends facing upwards, fitting as many into the bag as possible.

Tip: *Cable ties can either be placed in the bottom of the Tubex bulk bag and Tubex will ensure they are recycled, or they can be taken to your local Recycling Centre.

Step 3: Collection/Drop Off

Collection

When you have filled at least 6 bags contact BHT to arrange collection.

Your details will be passed to Tubex who will be in contact to discuss when they will collect your bags.

Collections will run from May to September (i.e. outside of the bare root planting season), however bags can be sent out all year round to be filled in preparation for collection.

Tubex will plan the optimum route to collect your bags along with other clients – so collection may not be immediate.

Drop off

When you have filled at least 1 bag take to your nearest drop off hub. Remember to check hub opening times.

Drop off hubs are only open certain times of the year. See FAQ’s for further details.

FAQs

Can any tree shelter be collected and recycled?

Any genuine Tubex product, regardless of age or condition can be collected and recycled (including mesh guards), plus any tree shelters made of Polypropylene (look out for the ‘PP’ symbol on the shelter to check that it is the correct material). Spiral guards are not usually made of Polypropylene so should not be included in the bulk bags.

Can any plastic tree shelter or protection be collected and recycled by Tubex?

No. Tubex are only able to recycle genuine Tubex products and shelters made of Polypropylene.

Can I use any bulk bag?

No. You should only use the dedicated Tubex branded bulk bags because this enables Tubex to calculate the quantity of material available for recycling.

How much do the bulk bags weigh when full?

It depends on the type of Tubex product and how efficiently the bulk bags are filled, however as an estimate allow for 35-60kg.

Who fills the bulk bags?

The customer is responsible for filling the bulk bags.

What happens to my bulk bags after collection/drop off?

Once collected Tubex will take your filled bulk bags either directly to their facility for sorting and recycling, or to BHT HQ for storage until they are ready to process them.

Where is the Tubex Recycling Centre?

It is centrally located in Derbyshire.

What happens to the bulk bag when it arrives at the Recycling Centre?

The tubes are sorted and cleaned and then processed into plastic pellets.

What happens to the recycled plastic?

The recycled plastic pellets created from the old Tubex tubes go on to be used in more Tubex tree protection or to Berry Global (who own Tubex) to assist in their manufacturing processes.

Tubex standard tree shelters already contain up to 30% of recycled polymer and the Tubex netting up to 85%. Tubex are aiming for their Standard tree shelters to be manufactured with 100% recycled content as soon as they have enough availability of recycled material. For more information please see tubex.com/recycling/.

COLLECTIONS

Is there a minimum order quantity that can be collected at any one time from a site?

Yes. The minimum quantity for collection for each site visit is 6 bulk bags. 6 bulk bags will hold 350 to 400 standard tree shelters, so 6 bags is approximately 2100+ tubes.

Will the collection vehicle have a forklift truck on it?

No. The bulk bags will need to be hand lifted (two person job) onto the collection lorry.

When will collections of filled bulk bags run?

Collections will run from May to September (i.e. outside of the bare root planting season), however bags can be sent out all year round to be filled in preparation for collection.

Why do I have to pay for the bulk bags?

The cost per bag for collections covers postage, haulage, cleaning and processing. Whilst this is a Not-For-Profit Scheme, there are costs associated with recycling which need to be covered to make the scheme sustainable for the long-term.

Can I get a refund on any unused bags?

We are not able to offer a refund on any unused bags.

Can I order more bags?

Provided you have ordered the minimum number of 6 bulk bags, and they have not yet been collected, you can order extra bags by calling our office.

Who collects the bulk bags?

Contact BHT to arrange collection of your bulk bags. Tubex will collect them. Note – Bulk bags must be left in a location where an articulated lorry will not be obstructed upon collection.

DROP OFFS