A Real or Fake Christmas Tree: Which is Greener?

Hey Mr. Green,

Have you reached a conclusion on the real tree vs. artificial Christmas tree debate?

--Kathy in Winston Salem, North Carolina

I have indeed. The real tree is better for the environment than the fake tree. A real tree is a renewable resource, whereas a fake tree is usually made from plastic, which is derived from oil, a nonrenewable resource. The real tree can be recycled as mulch, compost, or wildlife shelter, whereas the fake tree can’t. The real tree does not contain harmful chemicals, whereas fake trees are often made with plastic polyvinyl chloride, whose manufacture releases highly toxic material. Plus, lead may have been added to stabilize the plastic. The real tree also absorbs carbon dioxide while it grows, doing its bit to fight global warming.

The belief that using real trees causes deforestation is mistaken. The fact is, real trees are farmed, often on marginal land that can't be used for other purposes. 

Christmas Trees: Real vs. Fake

Aside from the American tradition of playing continuous Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving on local radio stations, we also know that the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree goes in tandem with the passing of Turkey Day. 

But before you purchase your Christmas tree, we've provided some information as to why a real tree is more sustainable than its fake counterpart. 

Pros and Cons of Fake Christmas Trees

The obvious advantage of a fake Christmas tree is that you can reuse it every year. This not only saves you time and money in shopping for a tree and having to haul it onto your car, into the house, and leaving a trail of pine needles behind; it also prevents many trees from being cut down and wasted. However, there is a very real and serious disadvantage in the way these trees are produced that are both hazardous to the environment as well as our health. Many fake trees are made with polyvinyl chloride (also known as PVC), a non-renewable and petroleum-based plastic, and lead. Making PVC produces carcinogens that are emitted from such factories that further puts people in neighboring neighborhoods at risk for cancer while lead exposure can lead to neurological or reproductive problems.

Pros and Cons of Real Christmas Trees

Born-Again Presents: Upcycled Gifts That Do Good

These gifts are all made from something that obviously used to be something else. To boost the good-cheer factor, they're not just upcycled — they also help someone, somewhere, rise above poverty.

HAITI: Display memories in Macy's hand-hewn, tree-of-life-inspired "Heart of Haiti" picture frames. They're made from discarded oil drums, and each piece is signed by the metalworker, who gets half of the wholesale price. $32 to $60.

THAILAND: Show birds — and trees — some love with this handmade, reclaimed-wood birdhouse from Bambeco. It's made from planks that skilled Thai artisans salvaged from defunct boats and buildings (many downed by the region's 2004 tsunami), so no two are identical. $45.

UNITED STATES: This long-burning candle, sold by Hipcycle, contains scented soy wax encased in half of a used glass bottle (soda or beer, you choose). It's prepared, poured, and packaged by low-income new mothers in Chicago, many of whom are homeless. A program called Bright Endeavors recruits and trains the women, and the proceeds go toward keeping them afloat and helping them find better jobs. $15.

Sustainable Meat: 6 Secrets for Seafood Lovers

This week on the Green Life, we're offering hints for finding sustainable meat.

 6 Secrets for Seafood Lovers

Most of the food we eat is farmed, but the ocean is still a huge source of nutrition for billions of people. Overfishing puts immense pressure on ecosystems, especially since the biggest fish tend to get caught first. Aquaculture isn't always the answer either, as fish farms suffer from many of the same pollution problems as land-based farms.

So what is a piscivore to do? The Marine Stewardship Council certifies specific, place-based fisheries as sustainable, and maintains a list of certified products. In addition, the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch offers printable pocket guides to sustainable seafood. Sounds good, right? But in practice, many species of fish are sold under the same name ("snapper" could be just about anything), one fish species is sold under many names (toothfish or sea bass are the same), and in many cases, the individual species of fish matters less than where or how it is caught. The facts are hard to unearth when all you know about the fish you're buying is that it comes in a "stick."

To help you navigate the waters of the sustainable seafood trade, here are six rules to follow:

1.) Freshwater Farms

Sustainable Meat: 6 Questions to Ask a Farmer

Let's face it, there's nothing eco-friendly about factory farms. When servings of eggs, dairy, and meat come packaged with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, groundwater contamination, animal cruelty, and hormones, we wouldn't blame you for losing your appetite. But there are still ways to eat meat without unduly burdening the earth. This week, we'll offer hints for finding a "greener" pork roast or Thanksgiving turkey.

6 Questions to Ask a Farmer

One big advantage of getting your meat, eggs, and dairy from a local farm as opposed to a giant, faceless corporation, is that you can actually talk to the farmer. Visit your local farmers' market or check out Eat Wild's farm directory to find free-range livestock farmers in your state, many of whom sell shares in meat CSAs. You can ask them questions to find a farm that matches your own standards for land and livestock stewardship.

Here are six good questions to get the conversation started:

     1.) Are your animals fed with organic feed?

Downsize Your Domain: 3 Sneaky Storage Spaces

Could you live in a 500-square-foot house? If the answer is yes, kudos! For the rest of us, it can be a struggle to consume less energy, buy less stuff, and keep the house clean and green. Fear not. This week, we'll show you how to simplify your life and maximize your space.

3 Sneaky Storage Spaces

1. Bookshelf + Chair

Cold Comfort: A Gear Guide for Camping in the Snow

Crisp air, fresh animal tracks, bug-free evenings, and water all around — in the form of snow. A winter campout is a gorgeous way to experience nature. Here's a selection of gear to keep you safe and (relatively) warm. 

The MS Snow Trainer Insulated GTX by SALEWA is the perfect boot for winter trekking's harshness: It's warm and exceptionally light, and its outsoles are made of a unique grippy rubber that stays pliable in the cold. A built-in gaiter prevents snow from spilling over the top and soaking your toes. And while you won't want to wear them to a wedding, you'll be styling through the slush. $279, backcountry.com

In the coldest heart of winter, anyone who skis, snowshoes, or hikes will still work up a sweat. Which is why the Nano Puff hybrid jacket from PATAGONIA is designed to stay warm even when wet. It's made of recycled polyester and has thin Polartec R2 fleece panels to vent your 'pits and back. The seam pattern won't bunch under straps or harnesses, either. $249, www.patagonia.com

Ever since THERM-A-REST debuted its NeoAir line of sleeping pads, it has become the brand of choice — nothing else on the market will keep you as warm or as comfortable. The incredibly light (15 ounces) XTherm mattress incorporates more than 100 inner cells and a reflective material, features that direct cold away from your body and into the ground. $190, cascadedesigns.com

Downsize Your Domain: 3 Simple Habits

Could you live in a 500-square-foot house? If the answer is yes, kudos! For the rest of us, it can be a struggle to consume less energy, buy less stuff, and keep the house clean and green. Fear not. This week, we'll show you how to simplify your life and maximize your space.

3 Simple Habits for a Smaller Footprint

 1. Own less.

Downsize Your Domain: 3 Space Savers

Could you live in a 500-square-foot house? If the answer is yes, kudos! For the rest of us, it can be a struggle to consume less energy, buy less stuff, and keep the house clean and green. Fear not. This week, we'll show you how to simplify your life and maximize your space.

3 Types of Transformative Beds

Make the most of a small space with furniture that can serve multiple functions. These transformative beds save both money and materials. After all, you don't need to buy two separate pieces of furniture to get two separate pieces of furniture.

1. A bunk bed that turns into a couch.

Save 10% on PUBLIC Bikes

What's not to like about bicycles? They're emission-free, stylish, and great exercise! And now, Sierra Club has partnered with PUBLIC Bikes to offer members a discounted ride.

PUBLIC is a purveyor of European-style street bicycles in several styles. The new Sierra Club bikes will be offered in PUBLIC's C7 (step-through) and V7 (diamond) frames, in two sizes, and with rear rack included. Colored in Sierra green, these bikes will have the Sierra Club logo in white on the rear fender, and the Sierra Club slogan (Explore, Enjoy, and Protect the Planet) along the side. Click here for more specifics on the Sierra Club Bike.

The Sierra Club bicycles will be offered at 10% off the usual price, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated back to the Sierra Club.

This is a limited-time offer, with bike orders placed before November 18th delivered in May, and orders placed between November 18th and December 25th delivered in June. The bicycles can be shipped "ready to ride" anywhere in the continental U.S.

To learn about other discounts, check out the Sierra Club member benefits page.

--Rachael Monosson / Image courtesy of PUBLIC Bikes.