Real Christmas trees benefit the environment by providing greenscape, absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off fresh oxygen. But, with more than 25 million real trees sold in America each holiday season, its important that we look at the end game of all where all these trees go once the glitter of Christmas wears off. It shouldn’t be news to you that simply throwing out your live Christmas tree is a clear environmental faux pas – but what should you do with it? The answer may depend on available programs near you, but most everyone should be able to find at least one eco-friendly option which suits their needs.

Every year, millions of Christmas trees are sent to landfills or dumped on public property in America.

Decorate for the Birds

Prepare for your tree for its environmentally-sound end by decorating with compostable decorations such as popcorn garlands. Using compostable décor on your tree means that you don’t have to undecorate the tree before putting it in your compost pile, sending it to your community’s compost facility, or (and I think this is the best idea!) putting the tree outside to be a feeder for the birds. That’s right, simply put your compostable, decorated tree in your backyard and enjoy your natural bird feeder.

Community Composting for Xmas Trees

There are more than 4,000 Christmas tree recycling programs in the Unites States. Go to your community’s municipal webpage or contact your local trash pickup service to inquire about composting programs they offer. Still can’t find a local resource? Go to Earth911 and type “Christmas tree” and your location into their search to find local programs. Many services offer curbside pick up. Considering that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 24% of landfilled waste is yard clippings and compostable, doing your part to utilize your local programs can make a big dent in your personal contribution.

Still can’t find a local program in your area? Start your own Christmas tree recycling program and give the gift that lasts… less waste in our landfills.

For next year, use the buy local, buy organic rule for the purchase of your next real Christmas tree. Check out Local Harvest to find one of the more than 5,000 choose and cut Christmas Tree farms in the U.S.

And, if you are looking to the next step in low-impact living, consider purchasing a potted, living Christmas tree next year. Then, plant the tree in your yard after the holiday or consider donating it to a local arbor organization dedicated to greening your community. For those of you in the ever environmentally chic San Francisco, next year, rent a tree which will be picked up from you after the holidays and planted in the city.

Hope you had a happy holiday!

Image by Flickr user BowBrick used under a Creative Commons License.

This year’s Thanksgiving holiday is likely to be one to be remembered for my fiance and I. Not only will it be our first Thanksgiving in our new home, but we are hosting my future in-laws for a family dinner. Both my fiancé and I are self-proclaimed professional environmentalists, so it seems only fitting that for this holiday we make the extra effort to find new ways to green our celebration. Since I’ve been spending some time thinking about how to turn a yellow and orange holiday green, I thought I would share a few tips over the next few days as you prepare for your family’s holiday.

Shop Strategically

Before you leave the house to gather all of the groceries and other necessary items you will need to host your Thanksgiving dinner, take a moment to plan your trip. Deciding what you need and where you plan to get those items will help you map out the most efficient route to take and reduce the number of stops you make – all aiding in reducing the amount of gas you use. One method I have found to reduce the amount of miles I drive is to use my GPS which helps me order stops in the most efficient way and, of course, ensures I don’t waste gas on a wrong turn or by sitting in traffic.

Better yet, go dark green on this step by taking public transportation and walking for errands that are less than two miles away. Every little bit counts so do the best you can.

Buy Local and Learn When Organics Are Worth the Expense

Buying products produced locally not only supports your community’s local economy (something all of our communities could use) but it also helps reduce your carbon footprint. Locally made products are not shipped thousands of miles to get to you – a major reduction in the amount of fossil fuels used. Further, locally grown produce from your farmers market just tastes so much better than that out of season fruit in the grocery store. Search for your closest farmers market or other local harvest. Not all organic foods are equal in their bang (benefit) for the buck (cost). For produce, the Environmental Working Group is there to help. They have created a pocket shoppers guide to help you decide based on which fruits and vegetables are found to be most highly contaminated with pesticides. To be fair, it’s also important to think more broadly about the use of pesticides by taking into account the workers who are exposed to the chemicals in the fields. This is a time of year for us to be thankful for all of the people who help us bring safe, healthy food to our tables, the least we can do is work to protect their health and safety too.

Conventional, Organic, Free-Range, To-fur-Key – What to Choose? Stay Tuned for the next post.

Image by Flickr user Lordog used under a Creative Commons License.