Recycling Your Christmas Tree

When it comes to picking out your Christmas tree, it is important to consider what kind of tree you should purchase. Now I’m not talking about whether a fraser fir, eastern white pine, or Colorado blue spruce is best for your holiday aesthetic. It’s time to discuss the age-old question: Should you get a real or artificial Christmas tree? At first glance, an artificial tree may seem like the more environmentally friendly option, it doesn’t require cutting down a real tree, after all. While this is a reasonable assumption, the reality is a bit more complicated.

Production

For starters, the make-up of an artificial tree is a mixture of metal and petroleum-based materials, which are primarily produced overseas, making it non-renewable and energy-intensive for production and transportation. On the other hand, a natural Christmas tree absorbs carbon dioxide and other gases while giving off fresh oxygen. Christmas trees are grown on farms much like any other crop, and each year one to three seedlings are planted to replace each tree harvested, ensuring a constant supply. Christmas tree farms also provide natural coverage for wildlife and support complex ecosystems during their multi-year growth periods. To put it in perspective, the Christmas tree farming market adds an additional 350 million conifer trees across the United States. The large number of trees also stabilizes the surrounding soil and protects water supplies through the natural filtration process that takes place as water passes through the xylem tissue of the sapwood. 

While there is an argument to be made for an artificial tree lasting multiple years, it is essential to look beyond the time of use and rather at the disposal. On average, an artificial Christmas tree is used for only six to nine years before being thrown away. Due to the material make-up of an artificial tree, it cannot be recycled, so it ends up in the landfill, never to be used or seen again. While a natural Christmas tree can only be used for one season, it has many options for disposal, all of which involve waste diversion from the landfill and the repurposing of the tree. For once, single-use is more beneficial to the environment than multi-use, assuming proper disposal, of course. 

Local Disposal Options

Now it is time to look at the disposal options for your natural Christmas tree this year. Whether you want to do it yourself or have someone else take care of it for you, there are a few sustainable options to choose from. For the residents of Eagle County, there are a few different options offered by each town for Christmas tree disposal:

• Town of Avon will offer free curbside pick-up for Avon residents from Dec 26 - Jan 31.  Residents can also drop cut trees off at the Public Operations site at 375 Yoder Avenue at the signed, designated spot. Avon's Public Operations Department will check for trees that are placed curbside on a frequent basis, but if residents would like to schedule a pick-up, they may call the Public Operations Department with their address and phone number.
• In Town of Eagle, you can drop your tree at Bull Pasture Park from Dec 26 - Jan 6. The 12th Night Christmas Tree Burning will take place on Jan 6 and 6pm. 
• The town of Gypsum will have a drop-off site for used Christmas trees at the Gypsum Sports Complex (3295 Cooley Mesa Road) parking lot through Jan 6.
• Minturn residents may start dropping off trees at upper Little Beach Park anytime starting Jan 5. You may drop off until the Christmas Tree bonfire on Jan 9. You can also drop off the night of the event, just bring your tree directly to the bonfire. If bringing your tree directly to the event, please drop off prior to 7pm. Pickup is available Jan 5 - Jan 9 based on need only. 
• Town of Vail Christmas tree curbside pickup begins on Dec. 26 and goes through the end of February. Pickups needed after February will require a special request. 

There are additional options for drop-off, such as the Eagle County Landfill in Wolcott (year-round) for a small drop fee ($21/ton), which will then be mulched and available to residents for pick-up. Vail Honeywagon also offers drop-off services for compost at a small disposal fee, located at the Honeywagon Compost Facility.

No matter where you’re located or how you choose to dispose of your tree, please ensure that ALL additional decorations such as ornaments, lights, tinsel, metal hooks, and any other non-tree items are removed from your tree before disposal. 

If you have the right tools, disposing of your tree at home is a great option. Mulching the tree and using it in your garden helps retain moisture, regulate temperature, prevent erosion, and add nutrients to the soil. If composting, cut the tree into small pieces for faster breakdown, and consider using pine needles as mulch since they decompose slowly. Be sure to layer your compost properly with a balanced mix of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials for best results. Keep an eye out for sustainable disposal options this holiday season and let your tree continue to bring value even after the holidays.

Grace Soensken is a Sustainability Intern at Walking Mountains.