The question of whether to use a freshly cut evergreen for Christmas decorations or to buy an artificial Christmas tree comprised of mostly plastic is one that is debated every year. If you want to minimize the amount of pollution released during the lifetime of an artificial Christmas tree, Greenpeace recommends using it for at least 20 years.
An artificial tree can last for twenty years, which is a very long time. About 10 million of these artificial Christmas trees are sold annually in the United States; many are constructed from PVC and cannot be recycled. The good news is that they can be used again, and with the right care and maintenance over the years, your family’s Christmas tree may become a treasured heirloom.
Selecting a Yule Log
The first order of business is to get an artificial tree if you don’t already have one. Reusing a previously loved Christmas tree is the most environmentally responsible thing to do. Look for a store with a track record of sustainability, such as one that uses renewable energy in its factories or one that has partnered with sustainable groups, if you’re in the market for a new artificial tree.
Think about the dimensions of the tree itself. For need it to last you a long time, which implies it must be adaptable to your changing needs. What if you decide to move from your loft apartment with high ceilings to a smaller place with lower ceilings in the future? Will your nine-foot-tall tree still be used then?
Troubleshooting and Repairing Lights
Pre-lit trees save time and effort because they don’t require you to wrap a large tree in lights. However, they are also one of the most widespread problems with fake trees. Hold off on taking your flawed tree to the recycling center. Take the time to fix the burnt-out bulbs in your fake tree if you really want to get your money’s worth out of it.
A large chunk of the Christmas tree’s middle doesn’t light up when you turn it on. A blown fuse in that circuit could be the cause. The fuse box can be inspected and replaced in the tree, and it is typically located close to the central pole of support or the main power plug at the trunk. Swap out the fuse with the spare that came with the tree, or look for a replacement at any hardware or home improvement store.
The lights on the tree can suddenly go off if a bulb burns out or a string of lights gets smashed. It’s important to promptly replace burned-out bulbs to prevent them from overheating and burning out the rest of the fixture’s lighting. One or more bulbs may need to be replaced if you find that an entire string of lights is broken. If you want to know how to properly dispose of the old string of lights, contact your local waste management firm.
Bridging the Space Between the Branches
For the other 10–11 months of the year, Christmas trees are typically crammed into a dark, confined storage area. The fake tree’s branches will eventually shrink from being stored for so many years, creating unsightly voids in the tree’s canopy.