by Blake Herzog
Most of us are attached to the idea of having a tree in our living room to celebrate the holidays, but — as with many traditions — it’s being reconsidered through the lens of their impact on the environment.Whether that means a fresh-cut, fresh-smelling pine tree shedding needles throughout the season or a plastic replica that’s less messy and less charismatic (found in up to 80% of homes, according to a Nielsen survey), we wonder if we’re making the right choice.
It turns out the answer depends on several factors including what you already have at home and where your intended tree is grown or manufactured. There are some general guidelines that can help us get what’s best for us and the planet:
If you have an artificial tree at home:
The Earth-friendliest option is always going to be using what’s already at home, eliminating any emissions involved with transporting a new purchase. If it’s presentable, use it for as many years as you can to keep it out of the landfill for as long as possible.
There’s little chance it’s going to be recyclable at the end of its useful life since most are made with fused steel and PVC, a petroleum-derived plastic that is difficult to repurpose, though at least one company, Oncor, sells recycled-PVC trees.
Because of the resources required to manufacture and ship the artificial tree, which in most cases is coming in from China, it can take a while to compensate for that environmental cost. Estimates of how long that takes range from five years up to 20 years.
If you’re getting a new tree:
When you need to pick up a new tree a “real” one is considered the most sustainable option. Most fresh-cut firs and pines on the market are grown as crops on farms in the U.S., and most of Arizona’s come from Oregon, a not-insignificant distance but a vast improvement over artificial ones imported from across the Pacific. They’re 100% biodegradable so if they do end up in the landfill it won’t add significantly to their load. A tree also can be turned into mulch, either doing it yourself or through a community collection.
A “living” potted tree that can eventually be replanted in a yard, park or other location will likely be much smaller than a cut tree and can keep giving long after the New Year arrives, planted in your backyard or a friend’s or in a local park or another appropriate location.
If you can’t buy a real tree:
Cut trees in particular can harbor mold, irritants and other allergens that can make some people around them miserable, but there are ways to avoid going with a conventional “fake” tree.
Wooden Christmas trees fashioned out of planks or branches that are biodegradable are increasingly popular, and DIYers can fashion their own. If you’re short on space you can attach a festive design to your wall.
