Washington State Dept. of Agriculture – Washington Christmas tree farm From supporting local farmers to boosting happiness, there are many reasons to use a real conifer in your house. This weekend Canada’s public radio broadcaster CBC tackled the always-contentious issue of fake versus real Christmas trees. This particular interview , conducted by Michael Enright of The Sunday Edition with forester Marie-Paule Godin of the non-profit group Tree Canada, focused on real trees and why they are the most eco-friendly option. As Godin explained, "The fact that trees are a renewable resource and that more will be planted is actually better for the environment. Artificial trees are made of plastic. They’re mostly produced in Asia." She explained that fake trees are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which cannot be recycled. Fake trees are only ever incinerated or landfilled after their (too-)short lifespan, typically 7-8 years. They could last much longer, but people tend to get tired of them and buy new ones. Real trees, on the other hand, are usually mulched by municipalities and used as compost in urban gardens. PVC is a real concern, as it emits hormone-disrupting phthalates that accumulate in human body tissues, as well as dangerous […]
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