A thorny choice: natural, artificial, or 100% recycled cardboard Christmas tree?

There is an innovative eco-friendly alternative to those two popular models: trees made from 100% recycled cardboard.

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They come in green, in white, in blue. Some of them have that “new” smell; others smell “genuine.” Which one do you prefer: natural or artificial? We are, of course, referring to Christmas trees. There’s no lack of choice around this time of year, when everyone is doing their best to have their holiday season coincide with everyone else’s. But do you know which kind of tree is the most environmentally friendly?

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And the winner is…

No need to be on pins and needles any longer: consulting firm ellipsos, which specializes in sustainable development, performed a life-cycle analysis to compare the environmental footprints of these two “competing products.” Their impact over each stage of their useful lives was analyzed. The result? The natural pine tree seems to be a greener choice than the artificial, unless the latter is reused for at least… 20 years. But hold on a second—there are some qualifications to that statement. Let’s take a closer look at the analysis.

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Shining light on Christmas trees!

Assuming both models are seven feet high, an artificial tree has a six-year lifespan and is made is China, while a natural tree has grown in Quebec:

• Both trees are almost identical in terms of impact on human health;
• The artificial tree contributes about three times as much to climate change and resource depletion as the natural tree.

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The natural tree has another advantage: its ability to sequester CO₂ during its growth, which has a positive effect on climate change. Naturally!

But, the artificial tree is almost four times better for ecosystem quality than the natural tree;

In short, your natural Christmas tree’s CO₂ emissions are equivalent to a compact car driving 125 km, versus 322 km for an artificial tree.

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A new cardboard kid on the block

Still undecided? There is an innovative eco-friendly alternative to those two popular models: trees made from 100% recycled cardboard. They are lightweight and require little storage space and no maintenance

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Several models are available, and decorations are included. The fact that they are reusable, recyclable and composed entirely of recycled materials makes them an attractive option for the environmentally conscious

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Cardboard Christmas trees are on sale on the Cascades Boutique and 50% off for a limited time.

Whichever tree you end up springing for, don’t forget the most important thing: have fun choosing it, decorating it and celebrating around it!
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