Mommy Goes Green

Trying to decide what the most eco-friendly option is when choosing a Christmas tree?  Find the pros and cons here:

ARTIFICIAL TREE

• + reduced trips to purchase a new tree every year
• + require no pesticides
• + cost effective, 1x purchase
• - likely made of PVC – a poisonous plastic
• - found to contain lead, particularly if manufactured outside the U.S.
• - shipped from long distances, outside the U.S.
• - not recyclable, takes hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill

Bottom line :  if you do decide to buy one, try to find one made in the U.S.   Less shipping and smaller chance that it contains lead.  Once you are ready to get rid of it, keep it out of the landfill by finding a program or family that would like to have it.

 LIVING TREE

• + can be replanted after the holiday
• + renewable resource
• + recyclable
• + can be found locally (in some areas), reducing transportation and supporting a local business
• - annual cost
• - may be grown with pesticides
• - may be transported long distances

FRESH TREE

• + renewable resource
• + recyclable
• + can be found locally (in some areas), reducing transportation and supporting a local business
• - annual cost
• - may be grown with pesticides
• - may be transported long distances

Bottom line: whether you choose a fresh or living tree, try to find one at a local, organic farm reducing transportation and pesticides.  When the holiday is over, make sure you send the tree to the recyclers.