By Jason Giovannettone, Climate and Sustainability Director
According to The Nature Conservancy, approximately 10 million artificial Christmas trees are purchased each year in the United States, a vast majority of which are shipped from China. The greenhouse gas emissions from shipping alone are significant as are the emissions created to obtain the materials required to manufacture the trees. Artificial trees are typically made from PVC plastic (#3), which helps to make them more fire-retardant; the issue is that this type of plastic is one of the most harmful for the environment for the following reasons:
- PVC (#3) is one of the most difficult types of plastic to recycle, so much so that less than 1% ends up being recycled after use. Therefore, the landfill is the final resting place for nearly all artificial Christmas trees.
- Almost all products made from PVC (#3) plastic are made from virgin material that requires extraction of raw materials from the Earth.
- PVC (#3) plastic is considered the most toxic form of plastic as it contains a variety of chemicals that can leach out throughout its life cycle.
- PVC (#3) never breaks down and remains in the environment indefinitely.
So, does purchasing a reusable, artificial tree make up for the fact that real trees need to be cut down every year?
Yes! Purchasing a real Christmas tree supports local landowners and provides them with the income to effectively maintain the health of the forest land.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, farmers on average plant 1 to 3 seedlings for every Christmas tree that is purchased and cut down. The result is a healthy forest that produces a greater number of high-quality trees, which results in more carbon dioxide being taken out of the atmosphere.
Also, because real Christmas trees end up being disposed of in the same landfill as artificial ones, they release their stored carbon into the atmosphere as they decompose. Many organizations will give used Christmas trees a second life as part of a conservation or habitat restoration project. Look for local organizations that are involved in such projects!
Mercy Tip
Get a real tree this Christmas. And when the holidays are over, consider donating it to a local organization focused on habitat conservation or restoration.