  Submit Your Question | |
| | |  | By Olachi Obioma
Grade 12
Richmond High School
Richmond, CA |
|  | "Is buying a fake Christmas tree more environmentally friendly than buying a real Christmas tree?"
- Posted |
| No, both pollute the enviroment because harmful chemicals are used in the production of fake trees, and pesticides are used when growing real trees. The best thing to do is to buy a real tree with the roots still intact from a local grower, then replant it after the holidays.
- Adam O'Camb, Grade 10, Miramonte HS, Orinda, CA
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| I think that it's environmentally friendly, but I don't know how much more environmentally friendly it is than buying a real Christmas tree. It could also be helpful to continue to buy real Christmas trees and then replant new ones immediately after we buy them!
- Sarah Zahedi, Grade 11, Northgate HS, Walnut Creek, CA
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| While buying a real Christmas tree smells good and has the sentimental value that a fake Christmas tree could never acquire, fake Christmas trees are more environmentally sound. You do not have to go to a Christmas tree farm every year to buy a new tree for a large sum of money (depending on the tree size). You do not have to worry about throwing it away every year. You do not have to worry about ants carousing about near your tree, and most importantly, you do not have to worry about trees being cut down every year. A pine tree decomposes quickly, but a small pine seedling takes many years to become a tree again. It is true that some fake Christmas trees hold cancerous properties, but do a little label research – look for the trees without high levels of PVC – and you should be fine. Happy holidays!
- Jennie Kim, Grade 11, Dougherty Valley HS, San Ramon, CA
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| I would think that a fake christmas tree is more environmentally friendly because you can reuse it year after years and the fuel and material used to ship it is the same as a real christmas tree. A fake christmas tree will waste a lot of oil, but then again, when we kill a real tree, more carbon dioxide is being emitted into the air. With a real christmas tree you cannot reuse it and therefore will just throw it away after one use, which is a waste.
- Linh Ho, Grade 12, San Lorenzo HS, San Lorenzo, CA
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| I agree with Adam O'Camb that both are harmful to the environment. Ideally, the best thing would be what Adam and Sarah Z. said--to buy a real tree with the roots still intact and then replant it. However, considering that that may not be possible for everyone, an artificial tree is still better than a real tree thrown away after the holidays. An artificial tree can be reused year and after year and won't contribute to waste every year.
- Aiman Arif, Grade 11, California Virtual Academy, Fremont, CA
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| I think a real christmas tree is greener because it can be decomposed by natural elements, unlike plastic (it takes a long time), and the aroma of the christmas tree will make you feel happier because of the authentic scent of Christmas.
- Stephenie Huynh, Grade 11, San Lorenzo HS, San Lorenzo, CA
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| I think it all depends on different individuals. If someone buys a fake christmas tree and reuses it, then I think buying a fake chistmas tree is more environmentally friendly. But if someone is buying a fake christmas tree and throws it away after they used it, then no. Because a fake christmas tree is made of plastic and other materials, well of one's I know of, and that is not friendly to the environment.
- Amanda Huynh, Grade 12, San Lorenzo HS, San Lorenzo, CA
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| Both of these options are harmful to the environment in their own ways. Fake trees often contain lead and other additives which have been linked to liver, kidney, neurological and reproductive system damage. But, on the other hand, real trees sometimes require repeated pesticide treatments. Therefore, when discarded, they may contribute to pollution of local watersheds. Again, the best thing to do is buy a tree with the roots intact so you can replant it after the holiday season!
- Amanda Nguyen, Grade 11, San Ramon Valley High School, Danville, CA
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| Although many people believe that buying fake Christmas trees are environmentally friendly, research has stated that buying real Christmas trees are more beneficial to the environment. Fake trees consist of harmful chemicals such as PVC, which is one of the most environmentally "offensive" forms of nonrenewable plastic. However, real trees are farmed and regrown later and can be used to provide oxygen in your home. So if you're pondering on whether to buy a real of fake tree, I suggest a real one because artificial trees can't be recycled unlike real trees that don't end up in the landfill after the end of their life. Happy Holidays!
- Shree Patel, Grade 11, Dougherty Valley High School, San Ramon, CA
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Why is being eco-friendly so expensive? For example, recycled paper is more expensive then non-recycled paper. | | Amanda Huynh, San Lorenzo High School, San Lorenzo |
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