Real vs. Fake Christmas Trees: Which Is More Sustainable?
Welcome to the second instalment in Newport Recycling’s ‘A Greener Christmas’ series, where we’re exploring ways to make this festive season a little kinder to the planet. In our previous blog, we shared tips on eco-friendly gift ideas, but today, we’re delving into a festive debate that comes up every year: real Christmas trees versus artificial ones.
Which is the more sustainable option? The answer isn’t as clear-cut as you might think. Let’s dig into the details to help you make an informed choice this Christmas.
Carbon Emissions: Digging Deeper into the Impact of Festive Choices
When discussing sustainability, carbon emissions or carbon dioxide equivalent often dominate the conversation. But while important, they don’t tell the whole story.
Real Trees
Real Christmas trees are a renewable resource, grown on farms specifically for the holiday season. During their life cycle, these trees absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere and release oxygen. However, once cut, they slowly begin to release stored carbon back into the air through decomposition.
Studies suggest that a real Christmas tree has a carbon footprint of around 3.5kg of CO₂ if sent to landfill. This increases to 16kg of CO₂ if it’s burned without energy recovery. However, recycling your tree—such as through chipping or composting—can significantly reduce this impact. Some collections even convert the chippings into mulch for local parks, supporting community green spaces.
Fake Trees
Artificial trees, on the other hand, are made primarily from PVC plastic and steel, materials that require significant energy to produce and transport. A single artificial tree generates approximately 40kg of CO₂ emissions during manufacturing. If used for at least 10 years, this impact is spread out, but shorter usage periods make the carbon footprint far worse.
Disposal: The Make-or-Break Factor
Disposal plays a crucial role in determining the overall sustainability of both options.
Real Trees
Disposing of a real tree responsibly can transform its environmental impact. Charity recycling collections, like those offered by organisations such as JustHelping, are a fantastic way to minimise waste while supporting good causes. Trees collected through these schemes are typically chipped and used locally, keeping emissions low.
Alternatively, if you have a garden, you could compost your tree or cut it into logs for natural decomposition. Each of these methods ensures that the nutrients return to the soil, closing the loop.
Fake Trees
Artificial trees are not biodegradable, and most end up in landfills or EFW, where they will take hundreds of years to break down. Recycling them is extremely difficult due to the mix of materials. If you choose an artificial tree, keeping it for at least 10 years is crucial to mitigate its environmental cost.
Which Tree Wins?
When weighing up the pros and cons, the most sustainable Christmas tree for you depends on your circumstances, values, and how you plan to use and dispose of your tree. Let’s break it down:
Real Trees
Real trees are an environmentally friendly choice if sourced locally and disposed of responsibly—through composting, mulching, or charity recycling collections. They are biodegradable, and renewable, and contribute to carbon absorption while they grow. However, sending them to landfill negates many of these benefits due to methane emissions during decomposition.
Artificial Trees
Artificial trees have a higher initial carbon footprint due to manufacturing and transport, but they can be a sustainable option if you already own one or commit to using it for at least 10 years. Choosing a second-hand artificial tree is another way to reduce its environmental impact.
The Alternative: Potted Trees
A potted tree might be the greenest choice of all. These trees are sold with their roots intact, allowing you to replant them in your garden after Christmas. Some providers even offer tree rental schemes, where you can borrow a potted tree for the season and return it to be cared for until the next year. This approach eliminates disposal issues entirely while enabling the tree to continue absorbing carbon throughout its lifetime.
For example, some local farms and garden centres in the UK provide rental services for potted trees, ensuring they are nurtured year-round and reused each festive season.
A Greener Way to Celebrate
No matter which tree you choose, the key to a greener Christmas lies in thoughtful decisions and responsible disposal. If you’re opting for a real tree, consider using charity recycling collections or council services to ensure it’s repurposed sustainably—whether as mulch, compost, or even energy. Websites like Recycle Now can help you find local recycling schemes.
For those leaning toward artificial or potted trees, remember that reusability and longevity are vital. Commit to using artificial trees for a decade or more or explore tree rental options to keep your celebrations environmentally friendly.
At Newport Recycling, we’re here to guide you through sustainable choices this festive season. Keep an eye out for the next instalment in our ‘A Greener Christmas’ series, and don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn for more eco-friendly tips and updates.
And one final festive reminder—how you dispose of your tree matters. Make sure to recycle responsibly, or you might find yourself on the naughty list next year!
Have questions about recycling or reducing your holiday waste? Get in touch or explore our resources at Newport Recycling. Together, we can make this a Christmas that’s truly worth celebrating—for the planet and future generations.