Do you love a real Christmas tree with the smell of evergreen wafting through your home but worry about the environmental effects of chopping down a tree every year? Same.
And the thought of reusing a fake tree each year is intriguing, but what about all the resources it takes to produce it? Is it better or worse?
Let’s dive into the long-waged war on real vs. fake Christmas trees.
You can watch/listen below and read the quick post for links!
Real Christmas Trees
There is something magical about the trip to the Christmas tree farm (or hardware store parking lot) to discover the perfect tree for your home. Here’s the real deal about what goes into that symbol of Christmas magic.
Real trees benefit the environment by absorbing carbon for the many years it takes to grow. Reforestation has been shown as a leading fight against climate change because trees are a carbon sink and give us oxygen; thank you very much.
But isn’t cutting down trees bad? Sort of. Ok, not always. Think of Christmas trees as a crop grown to be cut down, much like the produce you purchase and consume. We’re not talking about sending the masses into the great outdoors to chop down trees. That would be devastating.
Yes, there are carbon emissions in transporting the tree to you, so the most eco-friendly Christmas trees are from a local farm, organic if available where you live.
The greenest way to dispose of a real tree is to recycle it through a green bin or community recycling program, where it can be turned into mulch, firewood, or food for wildlife. Sending your real Christmas tree to the landfill might not seem like a bad idea; however, it will release more carbon as it decomposes.
Fake Christmas Trees
With all the hustle and bustle around the holidays, sometimes the easy button is dusting off the box and setting up the fake Christmas tree in a snap. No trip or mess required. While it may save you time, what does it cost the environment?
Alright, fake trees can get a bad rap, but they do have their benefits. They can be considered a sustainable option when used for many years or decades. Most artificial trees are flame retardant and require no water to keep alive. For people that have allergies, fake Christmas trees pose no threat. They are also more cost-effective than live trees.
But many of these trees are made of PVC and chemicals that are bad for you and the environment. They are not biodegradable and typically non-recyclable, taking up more space in a landfill when disposed of.
The best option for an eco-friendly fake Christmas tree is one made from recycled PVC plastic like these.
Should I Get a Real or Fake Christmas Tree?
Technically a real Christmas tree (disposed of properly!) is the most eco-friendly option. But, this is not meant to be a guilt trip!
While a real Christmas tree is the most eco-friendly option, there are green choices for eco-friendly fake Christmas trees. This is an expansive list of sustainable artificial trees for purchase.
Whether you choose a real tree or artificial tree this year, there are always small things we can do to reduce what we take from the environment.
What changes are you planning to make for a more sustainable holiday season?
the home sustainable 