Pine and dandy

Posted by joelle on Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Over a post work pint last week, team Seventeen were debating the ethical merits of real versus fake Christmas trees, both of which seemed pretty bad things in many ways. But, I am childlike in my excitement for Christmas and a bah humbuggy no tree stance will not do for me even if that is the greenest choice. So I’ve done some research and can report what I found. Yay real trees win!

Christmas trees are commercially farmed in pesticide sprayed lines, and don’t exactly provide a haven for wildlife, but they do at least suck up carbon dioxide as they grow and if sourced locally and disposed of by mulching and composting, their environmental impact isn’t bad.

Fake trees on the other hand are generally manufactured in the far east from a mixture of nasty things like PVC, polyurethane foam and steel. They are pretty difficult to recycle, most ending in landfill after a few years use as their once trendy hot pink plastic seems like a sadder idea.

Here’s my guide to greening your tree:

- Make sure you get a UK tree – most sold here now are. Aim for one grown as locally as possible. Lucky you if you live near a farm and can buy direct.

- If you have a garden, consider getting one in a pot that you can reuse next year.

- Make sure you get it recycled after Christmas so it can be mulched and composted. Check with your council – some are offering a collection service, and some will have drop off points.

- Decorate your tree with sustainable goodies instead of cheap shiny tat. LED fairy lights, recycled wrapping paper chains, Christmas cookie baubles, and garlands of popcorn and cranberries all look lovely and festive.

Merry Christmas!

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