When you opt for a locally sourced Christmas tree, you cut down on carbon emissions associated with transporting trees over long distances. Once the festive season is over, real trees can be turned into mulch or compost, enriching gardens rather than ending up in a landfill. Many communities offer tree recycling programmes, making it easy to dispose of your tree responsibly.
Keep pets away from Christmas trees due to pine needles, tinsel & decorations (very tempting to cats). Holly and mistletoe are also unsafe near animal friends. Read more on keeping pets safe at Christmas.
Artificial trees do last longer. Kept in good condition, they can be reused for many years, potentially offsetting their higher upfront carbon footprint. However, this relies heavily on the tree being used repeatedly over several years, ideally over a decade, to negate the environmental cost of production and shipping.
Most artificial trees are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and metals. The production process for these materials creates significant carbon emissions. Plus, once they’re past their prime, these trees often end up in landfills where they don’t biodegrade. This raises questions about their long-term environmental impact, despite individual longevity. Oncor Christmas trees are made with recycled PVC. Designed to last 30 years, they include a metal stand, and are sent in recycled boxes.
Renting a Christmas Tree
Renting a Christmas tree allows you to enjoy the beauty and scent of a real tree without the long-term commitment. One manager of a Christmas tree rental company says that he has up to 300 families renting the same trees each year – one family has even named their tree Colin (?)
The rental process for Christmas trees is quite simple and straightforward. Just choose a tree and place an order, get it delivered then receive guidance on how to care for it. Then after the holiday season, schedule pick-up. Reduced waste and reduced cost. It’s important to water daily and use the right stand and keep it away from heat sources like fire, radiators and direct sunlight. Also keep an eye out for shedding needles, you may need to water more or change position.
Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees (Estonia)
Cardboard Christmas is a delightful company that makes Christmas trees out of recycled cardboard. Forget the hassle of spruce needles, you now can enjoy biodegradable beauty year after year and reduced carbon footprint, with no plastic waste. These are easy to assemble and dismantle, with minimal energy to make. Keep away from open flames, candles and tree lights.
The trees mostly contain just 6 pieces to slot together. On twelfth night, just disassemble and store flat under the bed. Some are Scandinavian-inspired (Estonia is next door to Sweden) and offered in dark green colours.
Christmas Trees (from reclaimed wood)
Welcome the Woodshop (US creates eco-friendly Christmas trees, a one-time purchase made from reclaimed chestnut wood, from dismantled barns.
Zero Waste Christmas Tree Decorations
East End Press is a one-woman empire in Glasgow, which makes lovely creative garlands and decorations made from paper and upcycled cotton waste. Keep away from flammables (don’t use fairy lights with paper or cotton decorations).
Eco Tinsel offers garlands made from 100% recycled paper over PVC tinsel that never breaks down. Handcrafted to high standards with 1000 precision handmade cuts, each garland is 180cm in length in wide strips to create super-bushy decorations in various colours that have rings to make them easy to hang. Not to use near Christmas lights, keep away from fire and flames.
Greener Christmas Fairy Lights
Throw away dodgy Christmas fairy lights. Check smoke alarms before use (have a fire blanket and extinguisher nearby).
Choose low-voltage LED lights that are cool to touch, last longer and save up to 90% on energy use. Ensure air circulates around the transformer, and keep away from carpets and furnishings. Never overload sockets, and turn lights off when you leave the house or go to sleep.
If using outside Christmas lights, use an RCD (residual current deice) to switch lights off, in case of a fault. Outdoor Christmas lights cause light pollution to birds and wildlife, and can also cause circuit cut-offs to neigbouring houses.
