Decorate Sustainably!
Some people believe that getting a real Christmas tree is bad for the environment - and to a certain extent, this is true - the transportation of it is highly damaging to the environment, especially when this task is done on a large scale.
However, we must also take into account that some companies that sell Christmas trees promise to replant any trees that they have cut down - which limits the ecological and environmental damage caused.
Another practice that has recently been taking place, with a large amount of people doing it, is tree cycling - whereby many people recycle their trees, which is environmentally friendly. They are both as prior mentioned recyclable and also renewable. These two points are great factors as to why real Christmas trees are a good option.
If you are someone that, no matter what, wants to buy a real Christmas tree, there are many options, but try and find the most sustainable option to make up for the fact that not only is a tree being taken away but also the transport causes huge amounts of damage to our environment.
"delivering plastic trees from abroad has a hugely negative impact on the environmental footprint"
Yes, the same can be said for artificial trees; "what about the transport", some may ask, or "how can we find a sustainable option?" The majority of people believe that upon buying an artificial tree you only have to buy it once; it is cost and environmentally effective and friendly - why not? That’s the viewpoint that most people would believe - but this is just not the case. Artificial trees are made in China and to deliver them from there has a hugely negative impact on the environmental footprint. You can’t recycle them and that is another negative factor.
In conclusion, from a sustainable point of view I would recommend buying a real tree - it adds to the Christmas-like feel. However, if you were to buy a real Christmas tree, I would recommend buying one from a company that offers a sustainable incentive. Please keep this in mind when buying your tree at Christmas.
- Karim Janmohammed
Plastic vs. Real Trees