Most environmental experts agree that artificial Christmas trees are not the way to go to deck your halls. Even though they should technically last for life, most artificial trees are used, on average, only 7.5 years before they are disposed of. I can personally attest to this from my own experience with an artifical tree – after about five years, they get dog-eared, lose “needles”, and generally do not hold up to yearly seasonal use.
Natural trees usually come from local tree farms, where they are replanted each year, and purchasing one helps your local economy. Most natural tree lots in cities are supplied by tree farmers, and if you are lucky enough to live near a tree farm, you can go straight to the source to either chop one down yourself or purchase one where the dirty work has been done for you.
How to get rid of an artificial tree if you’ve already bought one? Use it as long as you possibly can, unless you have small children, in which case you may want to throw it out early since the needles do usually contain lead.
Local communities generally offer a tree recycling service which mulches the tree when the Christmas season is over. Check with your local waste disposal unit for more information on where and when you can find yours when the holiday season is over.
