Boffins say carbon footprint from manufacturing and disposing of a single plastic tree equals driving 100 miles in a gas-guzzling motor or charging 5,000 smartphones
Christmas tree growers expect a bumper year as green Brits spurn plastic firs for real ones. Boffins estimate the carbon footprint from manufacturing and disposing of a single plastic tree equates to 88lbs of greenhouse gasses.
That is the same as driving 100 miles in a gas-guzzling motor or charging 5,000 smartphones. The impact on the planet of disposing of a real tree by chipping and recycling it into bark is virtually zero.
Peter Hyde, 59, who runs two plantations near Dorchester, Dorset, which are home to 30,000 mainly Nordmann Firs, said business was booming because eco-friendly Brits were turning away from artificial trees.
He said: “The real Christmas trees market is increasing because people are more aware of the environment.
“Plastic trees are really bad for it as they are used for two to three years before being thrown away and ending up in landfill. Real trees are chipped after Christmas and recycled into compost or chipped bark. They take CO2 out of the atmosphere and give home to wildlife.”
Peter has stopped importing trees from abroad because of the carbon footprint.
His firs can grow for up to 25 years and to a height of 25ft before they are removed from the ground and sold.
A member of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association he has been involved in the industry for over 30 years.
Business is so good his wife Tamsin has become a director of The Big Christmas Tree Company and their 18-year-old daughter Isla has joined the payroll.
The British Christmas Tree Growers Association said production of real Christmas trees is ‘greater than ever’ as consumers turn their backs on plastic ones.
Their most recent research carried out by Ipsos revealed almost five million real trees were purchased for Christmas 2023.
An association spokesman said: “Production of real British Christmas trees is now greater than ever and increasing, giving consumers more choice when selecting their seasonal centrepiece.
“For some growers to be achieving record sales is a good sign that consumers are supporting local businesses which means low ‘tree miles’ and suggests that some consumers are perhaps thinking more environmentally.”
According to the Soil Association nature charity most artificial trees are made in China from ‘plastic, PVC and metal’ then shipped overseas.
“They aren’t recyclable,” the association said. “When they’re inevitably thrown away they end up in landfill. All this adds up to a big carbon footprint.
“Making sustainable Christmas tree choices isn’t just about where it comes from but where it goes next. If this year’s tree ends up on the rubbish heap it will have a greater environmental impact as it will decompose and release methane. This is less if it’s used for wood chip or it’s burned.
“Local authorities often offer collection and chipping services. “Woodchip can be used for mulching or trees can be composted and used as a soil improver.
“Another option is to re-use your tree as a home for bugs and birds in your garden.”