I am a real tree person. I just adore the smells & textures of a real Christmas tree in our living room. Which begs the question.... what is more eco friendly ?
The real tree Considerations:
- Environmental Cost to farm the tree
- Gas to get driven to store (if you don't go cut yours down)
- Most real trees are farmed here in the US creating jobs
- Mess from dropped needles
- Need to water the tree
- Potential for allergies
- Until it is time to cut down the trees they will recycle the air, purify groundwater, and stabilize the soil
- Trees are a renewable resource and biodegradable
- Trees can be recycled and re-used. For example New York City has them chipped and used as mulch in city flower beds.
- Can purchase organically farmed or live trees
The fake tree Considerations:
- Environmental Impact to make plastics such as PVC (and potential of high lead & other chemicals)
- Eventually end up in a landfill when discarded & are not biodegradable. Sure you used if for the last 20 years but will that fake tree last another 100 yrs? It is estimated that the average family only uses theirs for 5 years
- An estimated 80% of artificial trees come from China which incurs a environmental cost to transport those across seas and their packaging.
- No needle mess
- No potential allergens
An American Christmas Tree Assoication Report found that the choice of either natural or artifical has a negligible affect on the environment....... However National Geographics Standpoint in this great article is that the debate is OVER.. Natural trees are the way to go.
So the take home message is pick which you feel is better for the environment, but if you go natural don't drive to far, cut it down if possible, buy organic, and be sure to recycle when done. Or if you go artificial make sure you plan to use that tree for MANY MANY years to come.
Perhaps the most eco friendly solution is to purchase a live tree. These trees have the root ball still attached so that they can be planted after the holidays.
No comments:
Post a Comment