The Christmas holidays they are just around the corner. Many people have already decorated their houses. Others plan to do so soon. But if there is something in which one and the other agree, it is that the vast majority will put a Christmas tree as part of the decoration. Although the tradition began in the Middle Ages in Northern EuropeToday it is common in almost all countries that celebrate these holidays. But there are differences. In some places it is common go to a nursery each year to choose a natural fir. Meanwhile, in other countries it is much more common to use the same plastic tree year after year. Now, what is the best option for the environment?
By boat we might soon think that the best is the plastic christmas tree. After all, we have used it for many years and it does not require cutting down an actual plant. However, according to explained in an article IFLScience about this themethe nuances will make us change our minds.
And it is that, in reality, the Christmas tree supposes a carbon footprint Much smaller than plastic. In addition, it can even be beneficial for the environment if responsible use of forests is made with it.
The advantages of the real Christmas tree
For a Christmas tree to have some 1.8 meters highmust have passed in the nursery at least 10 years. During that time, it becomes the habitat of an infinite number of wildlife and, also, like the rest of the trees, it becomes a great natural tool for sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
In general, all plants capture carbon dioxide and incorporate it into their structures: leaves, stems, etc. Basically, they need it to grow. This, when we talk about trees, is very useful, since they can capture a good part of the carbon dioxide that would otherwise be contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Therefore, nursery Christmas trees are very effective in that regard. But of course, there comes a time when they are cut down. This is a problem, yes, but in reality, according to the National Christmas Tree Association of Americafor each fir that is cut down they are planted the following spring one to three seedlingswith which a new process is started.
The bad thing about these trees is that they only last a year. For this reason, after Christmas they usually follow three paths. well a landfillwell the incineration or his chipping. At the landfill it would be left to slowly decompose in a process that release methane to the atmosphere. This is another greenhouse gas, so it should be avoided. If it is incinerated, it will release all that carbon that it had previously captured from the atmosphere, so it wouldn’t have been of much use. It is for this reason that the best option will always be its reduction to splinters and sawdust, which are given different applications.
Reusable is not always better
The plastic Christmas tree can last many years. However, that does not make up for all the previous process.
It is calculated that the 80% of Christmas trees that are sold around the world are made in China. Therefore, while the natural ones can be brought in from nearby nurseries, in this case they will need to be transported over such long distances that the carbon footprint will be immense. But it is not only the emissions of polluting gases during transport that must be taken into account. Also in its manufacture, which is also usually carried out with PVCone of the most harmful plastics for the environment.
It can be used for years. However, it will spend more time in the landfill than in our house, since this material it takes more than 100 years to decompose. During that time, it begins to contaminate the land, where it could pass into the groundwater and, in general, affect living beings that inhabit nearby areas.
As for the total carbon footprint, not just transportation, it is estimated that a single artificial Christmas tree produces about 40 kilos of greenhouse gas emissionswhich is more than double that of a natural one left in a landfill, and 10 times one that is incinerated.
Does that mean we should run and throw away our plastic Christmas tree? Well no, because then we would be accelerating that harmful process that we have seen. In any case, if you were thinking of throwing it away to buy a nicer or bigger one, perhaps you should value it or keep it for a while longer, or give it to someone who cannot have their own tree. And, when buying, it may be time to opt for the natural one. There are more and more nurseries dedicated to it, also in Spain.