With the holiday season approaching, you may be looking for sustainable Christmas tree ideas to help make Christmas time a little more environmentally friendly.
The most important question you may have is: which is better, a real or fake Christmas tree? And are there other alternatives available?
It kind of depends on the situation, but for the most part, a real Christmas tree is the most environmentally-friendly Christmas tree option.
Artificial Christmas trees are not the best option for the planet since they are made of plastic and metal, both of which are not biodegradable.
The only upside to fake Christmas trees is the fact that they can be reused over and over again which saves money.
Therefore, if you plan on using the same artificial Christmas tree for the next couple of decades, investing in a good quality Christmas tree may be the smart option.
Here are some sustainable Christmas trees that will help reduce waste and fight climate change.
1. Use What You Have
First and foremost, avoid buying new artificial Christmas trees. Fake Christmas trees can’t be recycled since they are made with PVC, a type of plastic. That means they are doomed for the landfill.
Artificial Christmas trees are also typically shipped overseas from places like China, resulting in a high carbon footprint. They need to be used for decades before it becomes more sustainable than using real trees.
When it comes to living a more eco-conscious lifestyle, the right choice is to always use what you have first. So if you already own an artificial Christmas tree, consider continuing to use it in your home.
If you would like to move on from it, give it away or donate it to local charities.
2. Real Christmas Trees
A real tree is the most sustainable Christmas tree option and for multiple reasons.
They absorb carbon dioxide and other types of gases from the air and of course release oxygen.
A traditional Christmas tree is an evergreen tree, such as pine or fir. and they’re grown on Christmas tree farms. When the farmers cut trees down, they replant more, making Christmas tree farming great for local businesses.
They also make your home smell like a forest, which helps reduce stress.
Oftentimes you can even choose and cut your own tree which can be a fun family tradition. And even when the tree is cut, there are still environmental benefits that that cut tree can provide.
At the end of the festive season, the tree can be turned into mulch that can be sprinkled around trees and bushes, or added to your compost pile. If that’s not an option, you should be able to recycle the tree through your community pickup.
Something to remember when choosing a real Christmas tree, keep it watered. The heat in the home can dry out the needles, causing them to fall off.
3. Potted Christmas Tree
Another sustainable option for a natural Christmas tree is using a live tree.
A potted Christmas tree is a great way to lower carbon emissions, even more, considering the tree will live on for decades.
Also known as a living tree, this is simply a smaller tree that’s in a pot with its roots intact.
This means that the living Christmas tree won’t die, and instead, these young trees can be planted in your yard after Christmas, which can be a great family tradition.
You can also just move the tree outdoors and use it again next Christmas. If you go this route, you will have to continue to manually water the tree to ensure it lives on.
Related post: DIY Natural Christmas Decorations
4. Secondhand Fake Christmas Trees
Another eco-friendly Christmas tree option for anyone who wishes to stick with plastic trees is to check your local buy and sell groups or local thrift store to see if you can get one secondhand.
A secondhand tree has a lower environmental impact than buying new artificial trees since the damage is already done. But getting a secondhand tree helps expand its lifecycle and keep it out of the landfill.
5. Rent a Christmas Tree
Did you know that in some municipalities you can rent a Christmas tree? That means you get the joys of having a Christmas tree without having to worry about what to do with it at the end of the season.
Do a quick internet search to see if you have any Christmas tree rentals near you.
Related post: How to Have a More Sustainable Christmas
Final thoughts on these eco-friendly Christmas tree options
As you can see, there are some awesome sustainable alternatives when it comes to Christmas trees.
Opting for these natural Christmas trees, secondhand trees or creating one with your own hands is one of many ways to have a more sustainable Christmas.
Next, consider the wrapping paper you’ll be using to wrap presents under your tree. Check out these zero-waste gift wrapping ideas.
