Many people have been asking me over the Christmas break about Christmas trees and which is more sustainable, a fake tree or a real tree? So it got me thinking…How sustainable is my tree?
There is always a misconception that to be sustainable, we must not extract from the earth; it is better to buy prefabricated things that last. This reduces waste and preserves nature, right? Upfront the concept sounds flawless. Why would you want to cut down a tree when you can buy an artificial one and keep it around for a few years? You save a tree from being extracted from its natural habitat! However, many people don’t realize that the contents of an artificial tree include many harmful chemicals (such as PVC and lead) that collectively create a fairly large footprint. Even more so, a majority of these artificial trees (if not all) cannot decompose naturally which limits sustainable disposal options. In fact, for an artificial tree to even match the environmental impact of a real tree, the user would have to reuse the artificial tree for up to 20 years.
So you ask: What is the best option for a more sustainable Christmas?
Let me tell you…
Real trees are the more sustainable route! Don’t get me wrong, there are pros and cons to every option, but overall, a real tree’s pros far outweigh the cons. Real trees have this incredible ability to digest carbon, therefore making it a great way to clean indoor air quality. However, one of the biggest downfalls of a real tree is the possibility of them being harvested with the use of chemicals, so make sure to research local organic farms before purchasing!
To enlighten the unjustly negative outlook of cutting down trees, many of these Christmas trees are harvested for the purpose of being cut down, therefore you are not contributing to deforestation like it is typically assumed. According to Earth911:
A single farmed tree absorbs more than 1 ton of CO2 throughout its lifetime. With more than 350 million real Christmas tress growing in U.S. tree farms alone, you can imagine the yearly amount of carbon sequestering associated with the trees. Additionally, each acre of trees produces enough oxygen for the daily needs of 18 people.
Not only do tree farms contribute to a healthier planet, but furthermore, over 100,000 people are employed each year by these companies, contributing to a more sustainable economy.
Now when all is said and done, it’s time to think about the disposal. The great thing about real trees is that there are many solutions for their end of life cycle. However, REFRAIN FROM DECOMPOSING THESE TREES. Contrary to popular belief, decomposing Christmas trees can be one of the least sustainable options. They decompose fairly slowly with minimal oxygen, and with the plethora of trees that go into the landfills each year at the same time, they tend to take up mass amounts of unnecessary space. There are some wonderful, sustainable alternatives that many people don’t know about. When you properly recycle Christmas trees, they can be used for mulch, erosion protection, habitat creation and shoreline stabilization, so make sure to contact your municipality for Treecycling options in your area.
Now that the holidays are coming to a close, consider a more sustainable disposal of your Christmas tree, and keep real trees in mind for a more sustainable Christmas next year :)
References:
Sustainable christmas trees. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.canopy.org/pages/about-trees/sustainable-christmas-trees.php
Gregory, A. (2013, 12 01). How green is your tree? sustainable holiday tips. Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amanda-gregory/sustainable-holiday-tips_b_4356934.html
In, H. (2009, Jan 02). How to recycle your christmas tree in the toronto area. Green GTA. Retrieved from http://greengta.ca/green-tips/how-recycle-your-christmas-tree-toronto-area
Living Sustainably 