Our editorial holds a pretty certain position when it comes to season decorations, especially to Christmas trees. Both plastic and natural trees are pure evil for the environment. There are plenty of other eco-friendly options, which we are glad to present to you each year. This tree is deliciously disposable – either after the holidays or within them. And yes, it is edible! The recipe is available in the captions to the gallery above, and meanwhile we are to explain to all, why we don't like natural and plastic trees.
1. Natural spruce. True connoisseurs of Christmas spirit say that it's fresh spruce odor that makes a real holiday. The trees have already been cut and are now sold at Christmas markets, so what's the difference anyway? If not us, it'll be someone else who buys them, for as long as there's demand, there will be supply, right? Most trees that are sold in Moscow, Russia, are grown in other regions, like the Republic of Udmurtia and Perm Krai in the eastern part of East European Plain, by the Middle Ural Mountains. Only a small fraction of the market offer of fresh Christmas trees is grown in Moscow Region. Now, in order to provide the Muscovites with the true holiday spirit, the trees are carried in the trucks for thousands of miles, across the European part of the country. So add the fuel expenses (which are surely included in the price of the tree). How about the carbon footprint and loads of polluted air, is it really worth it? Resources like water and fertilizers are needed for growing the trees – the ones sold at Christmas markets are at least 7 or 8 years old. Now, if it's okay with you to spend a decade of nature's blood for a week of fine spruce odor in your apartment, then go for it without a single doubt!
2. Chinese plastic miracle. Some believe that artificial Christmas trees made of plastic are a lot safer in terms of the environment. No spruce in carpets until June is also an advantage, they say. However, this traditional approach to season's jolly is neither safe nor eco-friendly, and here's why. Plastic trees are okay for three or four holiday seasons, which makes it about 6 weeks of use. Then you just throw it away and buy another one, created by Chinese economic miracle. Besides, there are two more issues. It takes about one hundred liters of water to produce one kilo of plastic. The average Christmas tree weighs about 4 or 5 kilos. Half a ton of water is a bit two much of use for six weeks, don't you find? Secondly, you'll carry the tree that has lost its looks to the nearest dump, from where it will be taken to the waste landfill, to rot there for centuries. Sounds persuasive, huh?
Think of the alternatives, we say. Experiment with different materials and textures, boost your creativity and... Happy holidays!