You Can Rent a Tree? – More Eco-Friendly Way to Celebrate

The scene of a real Christmas tree is a staple for some families, while others prefer the ease of a store-bought fake tree. But what if there were another choice?

If you’re in the market for a new tree, don’t rush out to buy one. They’re expensive, hard to store and not necessarily environmentally friendly. Most artificial trees are made with non-recyclable materials, and when you finally decide your tree is too old, those materials hurt the planet. It also takes significant carbon emissions to produce and ship artificial trees.

The other option, which is about three times as popular as buying a fake one, is cutting down a tree to display in your home, only to carelessly  dispose of it afterwards. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that there are around 33 million Christmas trees grown, cut and sold just in North America annually. Though this is less harmful, there are still more eco-friendly ways to celebrate Christmas and fill your home with festive cheer.

Before you ask—yes, there are alternatives to the most common ways of getting a tree! You just probably haven’t considered the possibilities. Like most things nowadays, even trees are available to rent. Renting gives you the opportunity to change up your tree each year, making the holiday season much more unique and exciting, and you can feel good about your impact.

According to Treehugger, the process goes a little something like this:

1.     Local companies create and sustain nurseries where trees are grown.
2.     The trees are placed in pots and delivered to customers to display at home (sometimes, you can even get decorations!)
3.     Customers are expected to care for the trees, storing and watering them appropriately.
4.     When the trees are returned, they continue to grow for another year before the process starts again. Trees that become too large for rental after around seven years are planted in the ground.

Keep in mind that Christmas tree rental is still a relatively new concept, so you’ll have to search for services available in your area. If you can find one, we highly recommend giving it a try.

Overall, it’s an exciting new way to do your part for the planet, all while having the same Christmas joy that you always anticipate this time of year.