With the holidays rapidly approaching, you may be turning your attention to preparations for the festive season. The holiday season is filled with excitement, and yes, stress and excess! As we continue our series on sustainable living, let us slow down and unpack the options available for a very merry, and sustainable holiday season.
Are Real Christmas Trees Environmentally Friendly?
In our home, holiday 
preparations always start with the Christmas tree. We typically buy our tree at the beginning of December and recently pondered the question: Are real trees more environmentally friendly than fake trees? According to The Nature Conservancy, the answer is yes!
Here are number of reasons to buy a real tree:
Real Trees Support Forests
For every tree harvested, 1-3 seedlings are planted, keeping land forested and wildlife thriving.
Lower Carbon Footprint
Real trees avoid the emissions from manufacturing and shipping artificial ones.
Recyclable and Renewable
Real trees can be recycled into conservation projects, unlike artificial trees, which often end up in landfills.
Climate Impact
Sustainably managed forests store carbon and help fight climate change.
Most artificial trees are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with nearly 90% of trees shipped from China increasing carbon emissions and resources. The David Suzuki Foundation notes, most artificial trees are not recyclable, and you would need to use it for 20 years before it’s “greener than a real tree”. They suggest eco-friendly alternatives such as:
- An indoor potted Norfolk Island pine for year round use,
- a rented tree
- a DIY tree, here is a link to some great DIY ideas,
- a potted tree that you can enjoy over the holiday season then use it to beautify your garden in the spring. If this sounds like a plan for you, here are instructions for Caring for Live (Potted) Christmas Trees from the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario.
If you choose to buy a real tree, buy from a local tree farm and be sure to check your local municipality for recycling options. Your tree will keep on giving long after it leaves your home, providing mulch for parks and gardens, improving fish habitat, and restoring stream banks. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Join us next time when we wrap up green gift giving and festive meal ideas.
Happy Holidays!
Christine
Hello@bobbiebroon.ca
Photo by Vika Kirillova on Pexels