Beveren (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Volunteer Freddy Woutters in Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwindrecht built a nearly 4‑meter Christmas tree from tin cans and litter, to promote recycling and discourage illegal dumping, displayed next week at the old courthouse.
As VRT News reported, in Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwindrecht, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium, volunteer Freddy Woutters has spent weeks building a unique Christmas tree. The tree is nearly 4 meters tall and is made entirely from tin cans and other litter.
Woutters collects and arranges the cans to create the structure. Although the tree is not yet finished, he says he is proud of the work.
“Last year, on vacation in Spain, I saw a Christmas tree made from litter. I thought I could do that too, and make it bigger. Litter is a real thorn in my side. I can’t leave it there.”
How Did Freddy Woutters Build a 4‑Meter Litter Christmas Tree in Beveren?
Woutters has been a litter-collecting volunteer in Beveren for 9 years.
“I presented my idea to the municipality,”
he says.
“Everyone was immediately enthusiastic. I was given a workshop to make the tree, and students from the GTI (Global Institute for Technology) made the frame for the tree out of iron.”
To complete the tree, he still needs more abandoned cans.
“I collected enough cans in just a few days,”
says Freddy.
“I didn’t even have to go through the entire town: 10 streets were enough to pick up enough litter for my Christmas tree.”
He collects these from streets, parks, and the local community.
“Most of the cans I found are beer cans,”
says Freddy.
“The rest are mostly energy drinks. They’re all a different colour, which allows me to play with colour variations. The frame will also be decorated with Christmas lights.”
In Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwindrecht, volunteer Freddy Woutters is finishing the tree.
“I use plastic waste for that,”
says Freddy.
“Abandoned water bottles, for example. I regularly encounter that kind of litter too.”
Even the poinsettia at the top is crafted from discarded materials. Woutters didn’t tell exactly how many cans and pieces of litter were used because of the large amount collected and still being added.
“There’s a contest: whoever guesses the number of cans, or comes closest, wins a prize. So I’ll have to keep quiet for now.”
Woutters also hopes the project will discourage illegal dumping in the area.
“I see it happening more and more often. Recently, I found 56 dumped car tyres. They were well hidden in a gutter. I also often come across bags of dirty diapers.”
The tree, which took weeks to build, will be moved next week to the square at the old courthouse in Beveren for public viewing.
“That will be an exciting moment,”
adds Freddy.
“Hopefully, it will end well.”
In 2025, the City of Ypres displayed a 21 metre Christmas Tree constructed from recycled plastic on the market square. In Hasselt, a tree was constructed from 5000 donated ceramic dishes/cups of ceramic material and used as a public art piece in 2012.
