If you’re planning to purchase a tree this Christmas, the greenest choice is a living tree that can be reused or replanted.  If this is not an option, natural cut trees are preferable to artificial varieties.  Although artificial trees are potentially endlessly reusable, they are usually made from non-renewable PVC plastic, contain trace amounts of lead, and tend to be discarded after only six holiday seasons.  Real Christmas trees (especially organic ones) provide environmental benefits, as they grow and can be recycled easily after the new year.  If just 10 percent of households planning to purchase a new artificial tree this year purchased a natural one instead, forty four million pounds of non-biodegradable materials could be conserved and diverted from landfills.

Rogers, Elizabeth, and Thomas M. Kostigen. The Green Book.  New York: Three Rivers Press, 2007.

*Looking for ways to make this holiday season ’Green’?  The City of Tucson has a couple of  green tips and information on Christmas tree recycling.  http://www.ci.tucson.az.us/holidayrecycling/.

Greener Cleaners - Tucson ‘Green’ House Cleaning

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