Residents urged to get real this Christmas
17 December 2007
Christmas just wouldn't be the same without a decorated tree, and according to the local Recycle Western Riverside campaign, the good news is that a growing number of people are buying rooted Christmas trees that can be planted in the garden or potted after Christmas and then reused the following year.
From just a few thousand purchased annually five years ago, sales of potted and container grown trees have since flourished. Over half a million sold last year, as growers responded to demand from the public.
The main benefit of a real tree - in addition to the wonderful smell of pine pervading the house - is to the environment. That's because like any tree, as they grow they absorb carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, and they can also be reused each year.
If the lack of a garden or balcony prevents you from choosing a potted tree and you opt for a cut tree instead, don't forget that it's very easy to recycle it afterwards. You can take it to the nearest drop-off point in your borough or your council may collect it from your doorstep.
Look out for trees which have been grown locally. The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) can help you find your nearest supplier. Roger Hay, Secretary of the BCTGA said: "The sale of all real trees has grown year-on-year for the past ten years, and we expect somewhere between eight and eight and a half million to be purchased for the 2007 celebrations."
For those people who prefer an artificial tree, bear in mind that the majority are made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), an oil derivative. When they are no longer required, artificial trees usually end up in landfill where they may take hundreds of years to degrade.
However artificial trees can be used year after year. The more uses you can make of an artificial tree, the lower its environmental impact. With an average life span of five or six years, care can extend the life of an artificial tree further. When you no longer want your artificial tree, think about extending its life by giving it to a local group or charity shop.
Sam Jarvis from the Recycle Western Riverside campaign, says: "Christmas is traditionally a time for giving, so this year why not give something back to the environment. If you buy a real Christmas tree, make sure you reuse it next year or recycle it using your council's collection scheme."