When it comes to Christmas trees, a couple of debates often take centre stage. The first is about timing—should you put it up early to soak in the festive spirit, or wait until just before the big day for a more traditional approach? The second is the choice between a 'real' (natural) Christmas tree and a 'fake' (artificial) one.
At Paper Bag Co, we teamed up with timber specialists Timbersource to uncover where the UK stands on this debate and to dig deeper into what happens to real Christmas trees after the festive period. After all, trees are famously the source of paper, making this a topic close to our hearts!
The public prefers real trees, and the gap has widened
The growing interest in real Christmas trees in the UK appears to align with increasing awareness of plastic pollution. In 2024, searches for real Christmas trees outpaced those for artificial ones by a margin of 140,422, a significant increase compared to 2012 when the difference was just 53,482, widening the gap by 162%.
Interestingly, the data also shows that there has been a big spike around 2020, in time with the COVID-19 pandemic. This significant increase shows that consumers consider a real Christmas tree as a luxury in their home, with its genuine smell and visual appeal that cannot be compared to that of a fake tree.
Perhaps people are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of fake trees, which are made from non-biodegradable plastics and have a big carbon footprint.
Real trees, on the other hand, are biodegradable, recyclable, and often support local businesses when sourced sustainably. This shift shows how more people are choosing natural, eco-friendly options as concerns about plastic waste continue to grow. Whilst they can be a sustainable choice, if they are thrown away each year they can have a more negative impact than plastic alternatives.
Around 8 million Christmas trees are thrown away each year
Research shows that around 8 million Christmas trees are discarded every year, illustrating that even real trees come with environmental challenges if not disposed of responsibly. When these trees end up in landfills, they can release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as they decompose.
For context, our calculations show this number of trees, if fit for purpose, could produce almost 50,000 tonnes of timber or 1.96 billion paper bags!
What to do with your Christmas tree in the New Year
After Christmas, real trees can be repurposed in several eco-friendly ways to reduce waste and make the most of their materials. Many councils and organizations offer recycling programs that turn trees into mulch or wood chips for public parks and gardens.
Old trees can also support wildlife by providing habitats for birds and small animals or contribute to erosion control in certain areas. Creative options include crafting tree trunks into rustic decorations or using branches for natural garden borders. These options ensure your Christmas tree is put to good use, minimizing environmental impact. Trees can also be kept and used again in the future if you have the space to replant them outside!
Reusing, recycling, and reducing waste during the festive season is key to minimizing environmental impact. Repurposing real Christmas trees, recycling them into mulch, or using natural materials like timber instead of concrete can make a big difference. Choosing eco-friendly alternatives to plastic packaging, such as paper bags, also supports a healthier planet for future generations to enjoy more sustainable Christmases.
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