Super Eco

Photo credit: Flickr, stev.ie

Reusable or not, fake Christmas trees can't compare to real conifers in terms of sustainability. Authentic Christmas trees--those lush, live beauts we ax down expressly to spruce up our indoor holiday decor--are ironically better for the Earth in the long run.

How? Aside from looking and smelling better than petroleum-based fakers, real Christmas trees are:

1. Renewable
2. Recyclable
3. Biodegradable
4. Naturally equipped to absorb carbon dioxide (so we don't have to ... as much).

That's four earth-friendly things wanna-be Christmas trees aren't. Hey, it's hard to be the Happiest Christmas Tree when you're made in a coal-burning factory in China.

True, artificial trees can be reused year after year, but they look dumpier each year and inspire more eco-guilt. (I know. I trimmed the same Leaning Tower of Plastic Shame for 21 Christmases straight.) When finally spent, fakes become landfill fodder.

Not the majority of real Christmas trees. They get a second, not so glamorous life as fragrant landscaping chips and mulch, thanks to some 5,000 reuse programs throughout the U.S. Do your part and chip yours in this year. It's easy with this Earth911 recycling services finder. Simply type "Christmas tree" into the search, along with your ZIP code, and you're there. You could also dry your tree and use the wood for fireplace kindling or, better yet, make it sleep with the fishes.

Wait. Aren't we greenies supposed to hug trees? Not chop them down them for a festive canopy to stash unsustainable consumptive pleasures below. All right, all right. If you can't bring yourself to whack a real, living (though highly renewable) pine tree this holiday, why not decorate a sturdy indoor plant or small tree you already know and love?

If you do decide to get real, make Santa happy and purchase your tree from an environmentally responsible, fair-trade local farm. Take good care of it through Christmas and plant it in your yard after the New Year and you'll have one less resolution to scratch of your list.