Ways to recycle a Christmas tree
From: Beth Buczynski, Care2 in ENN.com
For nearly a month (maybe longer if you're one of those day-after-Thanksgiving types), your Christmas tree has formed the centerpiece of holiday celebrations. But now, as the New Year draws near, it's time to think about what to do with it.
If, like millions of
people, you chose a fresh cut tree, it's important to think long and hard about
recycling. After all, a carbon-sucking plant gave its life so that you could
honor the pagan tradition of decorating a tree. Just tossing it in the garbage
is a depressing waste, especially when there are so many other creative options.
Below is a list of the
most creative ideas we've ever seen for repurposing Christmas trees. Although
most of us will undoubtedly choose number one (the easiest option), the others
will warm your heart as well.
1. Water-Saving Mulch — Most city governments have some form of
Christmas tree recycling program. Check your city's official website, or call
up your waste hauler if you're not sure. Instead of just chucking trees into
the dump, they’re transformed into a valuable resource: mulch. It might not be
as glamorous as the other ideas on this list, but mulch is used in public
gardens and parks across the valley to help conserve soil moisture and keep
plants healthy, and there's nothing boring about that.
2. Coastal Erosion Defense System — According to Louisiana news station WLTV,
"the state Department of Natural Resources has provided grants to parishes
along the coast that use recycled Christmas trees to help protect wetland areas
by slowing wave action and erosion" for the past 17 years. Volunteers in
boats place collected Christmas trees into pre-constructed shoreline fences
where they slow wave action and help reduce erosion.
Photo credit, Roger
Greenway, ENN.
Read more at Care2.
