Thanksgiving is tomorrow and Christmas is right around the corner. Holiday music is filling the airwaves and retailers have their trees up – including EcoReno’s Wine Bottle Tree! How GREEN is your tree? What is the best environmental choice for a holiday tree?
Artificial trees seemed like a good response. You buy it once and use it over and over again. Even greener, buying it used. Artificial trees are mostly made with PVC plastic, a petroleum by product that leaches dioxin. Dioxin is very toxic. Manufacturing site is also something to consider. Was your tree made and shipped overseas? That’s a big carbon foot print. And when all is said and done and the artificial tree is ready to move on, it eventually ends up in the landfill.
Plantable tree. I love this idea. Buy a tree in a pot and you can plant it after the holiday. Trees are great! Yet if you desire a large Christmas tree, how big can the tree really be in a pot? After 3 years, I would have nowhere to put another tree – although they could be a gift. Trees should be planted because they are appropriate for you and your home/yard- so running out to buy something just because you can plant it might not be the wisest choice.
Farmed trees fill vacant lots all around town. Trees can be grown with harmful pesticides and other dangerous chemicals. Organic would be a good choice – avoiding the toxic chemicals. But do think about the carbon footprint, an organic tree shipped from Maryland versus a non-organic farmed tree from California.
Chop your own tree. My first response to this was an absolute no, but with further investigation, it has become clear that this is a sustainable choice. Organic in the sense that no one has purposely fertilized my tree of choice with harmful chemicals. Cutting your own tree helps manage our forests by thinning small trees in overstocked areas. You need a permit! Permits are available through the BLM and USFS. Use this link for office locations, hours and further information.
Lastly, skip a tree. Decorate your home inside and out. Place ornaments on a houseplant. Make your own tree. Be creative – you might start a holiday tradition! Check out these creative ideas:
Happy Holidays!
