What’s better for the environment – a real or a fake Christmas tree?
There’s no one right answer. The most sustainable choice will depend on a few things, says UK environmental consultancy the Carbon Trust.
An artificial tree used over multiple years can be better for reducing emissions than buying a new, commercially grown tree every year, says the trust.
So, if you’ve already got a fake tree, keep using it – the most sustainable tree is the one you already have, says MyWaste.ie. Reusing it every year for 20 years may save you money too.
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But if you don’t already have an artificial tree, think before buying one. It’s likely to be made of plastic that comes from crude oil, harming the environment in its manufacture.
[ A tree is not just for Christmas. Was getting a real tree the right choice?Opens in new window ]
China is the leading manufacturer of artificial Christmas trees, with some estimates suggesting up to 80-85 per cent of what’s on the market is produced there, so there will be emissions from transporting these products too.
A 6.5ft artificial tree is responsible for about 40kg of greenhouse gas emissions – which means you need to reuse it for about 10 Christmases to keep its environmental impact lower than buying a real tree every year, depending on the materials used in the fake tree, according to the Carbon Trust.
It’s estimated that about two-thirds of an artificial tree’s carbon footprint is the plastic it is made from. If you want an artificial tree, you could look for one made from recycled materials, or pick up a second-hand tree.
Disposing of a fake tree can be problematic – there’s the issue of any plastic or metal parts which, depending on their recyclability, could become waste, says the trust. Most fake trees are headed for landfill, where they will spend many more Christmases to come.
Christmas tree growers in Ireland produce about 650,000 Christmas trees each year, according to Teagasc figures. About 450,000 are sold at home and about 200,000 of them are exported abroad, mainly to the UK, France and Germany.
Like all other trees, Christmas trees capture carbon as they grow. If people didn’t buy real Christmas trees, all these trees wouldn’t be grown at all, the argument goes. Christmas trees are a sustainable product because new trees will replace the trees that are harvested each year, according to Teagasc.
For real trees, those grown slowly and without fertiliser are preferable to intensively grown options, says the Carbon Trust. You can reduce your “tree miles” by looking for a tree grown near you, rather than those with higher transport emissions, it says. This will also ensure a fresher tree. Also ask whether the netting used to protect them in transit is biodegradable.
A tree will begin to degrade once it goes indoors. If you want it to stay fresh, use a stand that allows it to be watered and keep it away from radiators, says the Irish Christmas Tree Growers Association.
“Selling cut trees in November, and expecting them to be in an immaculate condition come the new year, is fraught if they are not cared for properly,” says the association.
Be sure to reuse your stand or pot for as many years as possible. Buying a new one each year has a significant impact on the footprint of your tree.
Come January, sustainable disposal of your tree is important from a carbon perspective. Having your Christmas tree chipped and spread on the garden or in a park, for example, will reduce its carbon footprint by up to 80 per cent, says the Carbon Trust. Many county councils offer free Christmas tree recycling services in January, with specific drop-off locations and dates advertised on their websites.
Burning the tree on a bonfire, for example, will emit the carbon dioxide it stored up while it was growing, says the trust.
If a real tree is sent to landfill, it will produce methane gas as it decomposes. Methane is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide, creating a larger footprint.
If you have the space, a potted tree – one with roots – can be a good idea. This potentially avoids transport emissions by keeping the tree in the same place year-round. Replant the tree after it has outgrown its pot and there will be no issues with disposal.
Think about your Christmas tree decorations too - restyling every year with new plastic baubles isn’t great for the planet. And do you really need another set of Christmas lights? Remind yourself of what you already have before spending on more. Using the same decorations year after year can be a lovely tradition that reduces waste.
