Every December, people buy a new Christmas tree which is lovingly decorated, then in January unlovingly thrown away!
This tradition has been followed for many years but if you are looking for a more ‘eco option’, what are the alternatives?
- Probably the least eco option is artificial trees. On the one hand, the good thing is they can be reused year after year. However, the material they are made from can be extremely bad for the environment and your health. The majority of artificial trees are made from PVC and even worse, lead is apparently used to stabilize certain PVC products, which is why you'll see a label on faux Christmas trees cautioning you to avoid inhaling or eating any bits of lead dust that may fall from the "branches”! On top of that, when their lifespan is finally over, artificial trees will not biodegrade easily. Plus think about the air-miles associated with most artificial trees as they are often made in South East Asia. All in all, not a great option!
- Cut real trees are at least carbon neutral, absorbing as much carbon dioxide as they grow as they will emit when burnt or left to decompose. Plus they do not emit any toxic nasties like artificial trees do. However, as the roots have been removed, re-planting a cut Christmas Tree is not a possibility…
- Therefore, the best eco-option would be a re-plantable Christmas Tree, i.e. one which is bought in a pot with its roots still in place. Then in January, why not plant the tree in your garden? I can remember my dad replanting our tree years ago! The tree is now thriving in the front garden and is always decorated every Christmas with fairy lights. If you don’t have anywhere to grow your tree after Christmas, maybe a neighbour or friend does? Alternatively, make sure your tree is recycled by your local council.Even better, try buying your potted Christmas Tree from a sustainable grower and/or make sure the tree has Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation; go to www.soilassociation.org/christmas for a list of suppliers.
This tradition has been followed for many years but if you are looking for a more ‘eco option’, what are the alternatives?
- Probably the least eco option is artificial trees. On the one hand, the good thing is they can be reused year after year. However, the material they are made from can be extremely bad for the environment and your health. The majority of artificial trees are made from PVC and even worse, lead is apparently used to stabilize certain PVC products, which is why you'll see a label on faux Christmas trees cautioning you to avoid inhaling or eating any bits of lead dust that may fall from the "branches”! On top of that, when their lifespan is finally over, artificial trees will not biodegrade easily. Plus think about the air-miles associated with most artificial trees as they are often made in South East Asia. All in all, not a great option!
- Cut real trees are at least carbon neutral, absorbing as much carbon dioxide as they grow as they will emit when burnt or left to decompose. Plus they do not emit any toxic nasties like artificial trees do. However, as the roots have been removed, re-planting a cut Christmas Tree is not a possibility…
- Therefore, the best eco-option would be a re-plantable Christmas Tree, i.e. one which is bought in a pot with its roots still in place. Then in January, why not plant the tree in your garden? I can remember my dad replanting our tree years ago! The tree is now thriving in the front garden and is always decorated every Christmas with fairy lights. If you don’t have anywhere to grow your tree after Christmas, maybe a neighbour or friend does? Alternatively, make sure your tree is recycled by your local council.Even better, try buying your potted Christmas Tree from a sustainable grower and/or make sure the tree has Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation; go to www.soilassociation.org/christmas for a list of suppliers.
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