Smarter Living: Stuff

Photo: Steve Bowbrick/Flickr

Over 30 million Christmas trees are tossed out every year in the U.S., so if you have a cut tree make sure it meets an organic end--plan ahead to recycle your tree. Many communities offer curbside pick up of trees, others have drop off locations or wood chipping services. But most communities only collect trees during a specific time period. If you miss it, your tree will wind up in a landfill where even the most natural trash is unlikely to decompose. Figure out now where and when to recycle your tree by checking with your city or local sanitation department, or look online on Earth911.

What might happen to your tree? Christmas trees are often used as mulch for water conservation and weed control, along hiking paths, sunk in lakes as habitat for fish or even turned into fuel at biomass plants.

Tips

Remove all ornaments and tinsel from your tree and don't put your tree in a plastic bag, just haul it out in its natural state. Remember that Christmas trees with artificial snow or flocking can't be mulched.

If you want to avoid a shower of pine needles inside, wrap it in a sheet to carry it outside.

If you have a backyard, your tree's branches make an excellent protective mulch in your garden. Pine needles can be tossed under outdoor plants, particularly young trees or shrubs that prefer acidic soil.

If you have no good options, start a Christmas tree recycling program in your community.

Potted Trees

If you have a live tree, ideally you found a home for it before purchasing it. If that fell through, however, contact your parks department to see if any local parks are acccepting donations. Otherwise, check with the original seller for recomendations or consider planting it on your own property. You might also advertise online for a home for it or contact owners of larger wilderness properties.

Remember: Don't keep the tree indoors for more than seven days (five days is even better). To help it accilimatize to the temperature shift, it's best to keep the tree in your garage for a couple of days before planting.

Artificial Trees

Unlike real trees, fake christmas trees cannot be recycled and if incinerated will release carcinogenic dioxins from the combustion of polyvinyl choride (PVC).If the tree is still usable, you might consider offering it for free online via a Freecycle network or similar service, which will at least keep it out of landfill for that much longer but leaves someone else with the problem. Otherwise, check with your sanitation department to find out if your community incinerates waste and learn about disposal options.

Learn More

The Tree Choice: Care and Decorating Tips for the Holidays

last revised 11/17/2011