Exposing the artificial Christmas tree
In 2009, the Canadian consulting company Ellipsos on the impact of real and artificial fir trees on the environment. An analysis was made of all stages of the production of one Christmas tree and transportation from China. It turned out that the production of artificial Christmas trees causes more damage to nature, climate, human and animal health than Christmas trees that are grown using pesticides specifically for sale.
Another problem with artificial Christmas trees is recycling. PVC, from which artificial spruces are most often made, decomposes for more than 200 years, while polluting the soil and groundwater.
Artificial spruce can be more environmentally friendly than natural only if you use it for about 20 years. Therefore, when buying artificial, pay attention to its quality so that it lasts as long as possible.
Here are some guidelines:
- Choose a classic green spruce – it will not get bored for a long time.
- Buy a tree with a metal stand, not a plastic one. So it will be more reliable.
- Pull on the needles. They shouldn’t crumble.
- The branches must be securely fastened, mobile and elastic – such branches will definitely survive all movements and withstand the weight of any decorations.
- And, most importantly, spruce should not have a chemical smell.
It turns out that a natural Christmas tree is better?
Yes! But only those that are sold at Christmas markets. There you will definitely buy a Christmas tree, which was grown in a special nursery, where every year new ones are planted in place of those cut down. And yet, the sellers at the Christmas tree market have permission and an invoice for the “green goods”.
To make sure that the tree you want to buy is not poached, carefully evaluate its appearance: cut down in the forest, it has an umbrella-shaped crown and its top is very short, because under the forest canopy spruces grow slowly.
There is another idea – instead of a Christmas tree, you can buy or collect a bouquet of spruce paws. Breaking off the lower branches does not harm the tree. This solution is especially good for small apartments and for those who do not want to spend time choosing and transporting large trees.
Another, not the most common, but also environmentally friendly solution is coniferous trees in pots, tubs or boxes. In the spring they can be planted in the park or taken to the nursery. Of course, it is difficult to keep such a tree until spring, but some organizations in Moscow and St. Petersburg that grow “for rent” will bring the Christmas tree to your home, and after the holidays they will take it back and plant it in the ground.
So that the New Year does not become a period of exploitation of nature, approach your purchases responsibly.