According to the Carbon Trust, a 2-meter real Christmas tree has a carbon footprint of around 3.5kg CO2e, while a 2-meter artificial Christmas tree has a carbon footprint of around 40kg CO2e. Therefore real Christmas trees that are grown and delivered locally are roughly 10 times better for the environment, so unless you keep an artificial tree for 10 years then real Christmas trees are the better choice for the environment.
Real Christmas trees also help to improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen whilst growing for 6-12 years before being harvested. Artificial trees, on the other hand, can release harmful chemicals into the air when they are manufactured and disposed of.
The environmental impact of a real Christmas tree can be reduced by recycling it after the holiday season. At Festive Fir we offer a collection service where we will recycle your tree, this will help reduce the environmental impact of having a real Christmas tree.
Overall, real Christmas trees have a lower environmental impact than artificial trees, but it is important to choose a tree that has been grown and transported sustainably. At Festive Fir we only supply British grown trees in farms, therefore we do not import trees from the Nordic regions which helps reduce our environmental impact.
Here are some tips for reducing the environmental impact of your real Christmas tree:
- Choose a tree that has been grown locally. This will help to reduce the environmental impact of transporting the tree.
- Buy a tree from a farm that uses sustainable practices.
- Recycle your tree after the holiday season.
By following these tips, you can help to minimize the environmental impact of your real Christmas tree and have the beautiful scents of Christmas throughout the season!
Order your Christmas tree to be delivered to your door in time for Christmas this year and choose to have it collected in January to be responsibly recycled, click here to order now!