Real Christmas Trees
Pros: A live tree sequesters carbon, supports local economies, and can be used as beneficial mulch, animal feed, artificial reefs or wildlife brush piles at the end of its life.
Cons: Unfortunately, much of the carbon sequestered in live trees is released once they are cut and disposed of at the end of the holiday season. Real Christmas trees are also often sprayed with chemical pesticides that are bad for workers and the environment and can leave residues in your tree that are toxic for the people and pets in your home. They also often travel hundreds of miles from where they’re grown to where they’re sold, creating air and climate pollution.
Artificial Christmas Trees
Pros: Research has shown that the longer an artificial tree is used the smaller negative impact it will have on the environment. However, you’ll need to use your artificial tree between 12 and 20 years to match the smaller carbon footprint of a real tree. Additionally, artificial trees often have other effects on wildlife, local water supplies, land preservation and local jobs that life cycle analyses don’t capture.
Cons: Most artificial trees are made from plastic, specifically PVC (vinyl — #3 plastic). Plastic is a fossil fuel-based material that requires a lot of chemicals, so it’s harmful to the climate and creates toxic pollution. Also, most artificial trees are made in China, and transporting them around the world creates greenhouse gases. Finally, at the end of an artificial tree’s useful life it’s rarely recycled but instead disposed of in a landfill or incinerator, potentially harming wildlife.
And the Most Sustainable Solution Is…
Live trees come out slightly ahead of artificial trees because no amount of decoration can hide the fact that plastic starts as fossil fuels and chemicals and ends as pollution and wildlife hazards. If you do go with a real tree, pick a living tree that can be planted afterwards, preferably one that is grown organically. You can look for organic Christmas tree farms in your area here. The best plastic tree is one that you already have or that you find at a thrift store so you’re not contributing to new plastic production.
To make your Christmas even greener, instead of purchasing a real or artificial tree, consider some fun and funky alternatives that can be made with materials you already have at home. Trees made of string, recyclable cardboard, books, twigs or a vintage metal tree are all creative alternatives with beautiful aesthetics and they’re better for the planet too.
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