As the holiday season approaches, many families are gearing up to decorate their homes with a festive Christmas tree. While plastic trees have become more popular in recent years, there are several reasons why choosing a real, sustainably produced Christmas tree is a more environmentally friendly choice.
- If opting for a plastic Christmas tree, be sure to reuse it for at least 10 years to minimize its carbon footprint.
- For those who prefer a real tree, make sure it’s FSC-certified to support sustainable forestry practices.
- Have a plan for how to dispose of your tree once the holiday season is over, such as getting it recycled or turned into wood chips.
- Consider purchasing a potted tree that can be reused each year or renting a tree that can be replanted for future holiday seasons.
Plastic Trees Have a Large Carbon Footprint
Plastic Christmas trees are often marketed as a more sustainable option because they can be reused year after year. However, the production and transportation of plastic trees has a significant carbon footprint. In fact, a study by the American Christmas Tree Association found that a natural tree would have to be reused for 20 years to have the same carbon footprint as a single plastic tree.
Natural Trees Are Renewable
Christmas tree farms grow new trees each year to replace the ones that were cut down during the holiday season. This means that natural Christmas trees are a renewable resource, and choosing one supports sustainable forestry practices.
Natural Trees Can Be Recycled
When you choose a real Christmas tree, you’re not only getting a beautiful decoration for your home, you’re also supporting a renewable resource. Christmas tree farms grow new trees each year to replace the ones that were cut down during the holiday season. This means that natural Christmas trees are a renewable resource, and choosing one supports sustainable forestry practices.
Christmas trees don’t just look pretty and smell great, they are also an important part of the environment. When you choose a real Christmas tree, you’re helping to preserve the natural habitat of animals, birds and other organisms who rely on these trees for food, shelter and nesting material. Plus, real Christmas trees can help to reduce air pollution, since they absorb and filter carbon dioxide from the air, and release fresh oxygen.
Natural Trees Have a Lower Environmental Impact
In addition to their lower carbon footprint and recyclability, natural Christmas trees have a lower environmental impact overall. Unlike plastic trees, they are biodegradable and do not release harmful chemicals into the air when they are manufactured or disposed of.
When choosing a Christmas tree, consider purchasing one that is sustainably produced and locally grown. This will help to support local businesses and reduce the environmental impact of transportation. By choosing a natural, sustainably produced Christmas tree, you can enjoy the holiday season while also helping to protect the planet.