Treecycling" is the act of recycling your Christmas tree so that it can be turned into compost or mulch. In a national survey, 93 percent of consumers who used a real Christmas tree recycled theirs in some type of community program. If you're not sure how to recycle your tree, visit our Local Recycling Directory, type in the words "Christmas tree" and your zip code and you'll find drop off locations in your area.
Why Recycle a Tree?
Christmas trees are recycled for five main types of large-scale uses for post-harvest trees:
Chipping (chippings are used for various things from mulch to hiking trails)
Beachfront erosion prevention
Lake and river shoreline stabilization
Fish habitat
River delta sedimentation management
Today around 98 percent of real Christmas trees are grown on farms throughout all 50 states and Canada. Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource, and real trees are planted to be harvested just as corn and/or pumpkins are cultivated for a harvest.
For each real Christmas tree harvested, up to three new seedlings are planted in its place, depending on farm size and current field rotation. Young trees in their rapid growth years have a high rate of photosynthesis and thus produce more oxygen than older trees.
This year, over 60 million new seedlings were planted by Christmas tree farmers all over North America.
More fun facts about Christmas trees:
There are approximately 30-35 million real Christmas trees sold in North America every year.
Approximately 175,000 real Christmas trees are sold via e-commerce or catalog and shipped mail-order.
North-American real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada. Eighty-five percent of artificial trees are manufactured in China.
Real Christmas trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics.
For every real Christmas tree harvested, up to three seedlings are planted in its place the following spring.
There are about 500,000 acres in production for growing Christmas trees. Each acre provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.
There are about 21,000 Christmas Tree growers in North America, and over 100,000 people employed full or part-time in the industry.
It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of average retail sale height (six feet), but the average growing time is seven years.
The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington.
The top selling Christmas trees are: balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine, and white pine.
Why Recycle a Tree?
Christmas trees are recycled for five main types of large-scale uses for post-harvest trees:
Chipping (chippings are used for various things from mulch to hiking trails)
Beachfront erosion prevention
Lake and river shoreline stabilization
Fish habitat
River delta sedimentation management
Today around 98 percent of real Christmas trees are grown on farms throughout all 50 states and Canada. Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource, and real trees are planted to be harvested just as corn and/or pumpkins are cultivated for a harvest.
For each real Christmas tree harvested, up to three new seedlings are planted in its place, depending on farm size and current field rotation. Young trees in their rapid growth years have a high rate of photosynthesis and thus produce more oxygen than older trees.
This year, over 60 million new seedlings were planted by Christmas tree farmers all over North America.
More fun facts about Christmas trees:
There are approximately 30-35 million real Christmas trees sold in North America every year.
Approximately 175,000 real Christmas trees are sold via e-commerce or catalog and shipped mail-order.
North-American real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada. Eighty-five percent of artificial trees are manufactured in China.
Real Christmas trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics.
For every real Christmas tree harvested, up to three seedlings are planted in its place the following spring.
There are about 500,000 acres in production for growing Christmas trees. Each acre provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.
There are about 21,000 Christmas Tree growers in North America, and over 100,000 people employed full or part-time in the industry.
It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of average retail sale height (six feet), but the average growing time is seven years.
The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington.
The top selling Christmas trees are: balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine, and white pine.
Don't forget about your electronics stuff too!!!
In the 1970s, Gordon E. Moore theorized that computer processing power doubles about every 18 months especially relative to cost or size. His theory, known as Moore’s Law, has proved largely true. Thinner, sleeker, and faster computers have replaced the big boxes and monitors people once owned 10 years ago.
This phenomenon is not limited to computers. Each day, various types of consumer electronics are constantly being upgraded or completely scrapped in favor of technological advancements. In the process, scores of old VCRs, walkman cassette decks and bulky video cameras become what is known as “e-waste” or electronic waste.
Americans have amassed an enormous amount of electronic devices—an estimated three billion in total. Given the large amount of potential products involved, e-waste includes a broad range of electronic devices. Unfortunately, improper disposal of e-waste creates a significant burden on landfills because toxic substances can leach into the soil and groundwater. Absent recycling, the problem could escalate.
The total annual global volume of e-waste is expected to reach about 40 million metric tons. In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that we generated 1.5 billion pounds of all kinds of e-waste in 2006. This includes an estimated 44 million computers and televisions.
This amount is likely to increase because e-waste is growing at three times the rate of other municipal waste. Although e-waste accounts for only one to four percent of municipal waste, it may be responsible for as much as 70 percent of the heavy metals in landfills, including 40 percent of all lead.
Certain items are particularly harmful. For instance, CRT-based computer and television monitors contain on average four to eight pounds of lead, a highly toxic heavy metal.
E-waste should not be considered waste. It is a resource. Useful materials such as glass, copper, aluminum, plastic and other components can often be extracted and reused. Some manufacturers have even referred to e-waste as a valuable source of materials.
With an increasing array of environmentally-friendly options now available, people should consider recycling or donating their old electronic devices. With either choice, we can reduce the amount of e-waste and actually put our old items to good use.
This phenomenon is not limited to computers. Each day, various types of consumer electronics are constantly being upgraded or completely scrapped in favor of technological advancements. In the process, scores of old VCRs, walkman cassette decks and bulky video cameras become what is known as “e-waste” or electronic waste.
Americans have amassed an enormous amount of electronic devices—an estimated three billion in total. Given the large amount of potential products involved, e-waste includes a broad range of electronic devices. Unfortunately, improper disposal of e-waste creates a significant burden on landfills because toxic substances can leach into the soil and groundwater. Absent recycling, the problem could escalate.
The total annual global volume of e-waste is expected to reach about 40 million metric tons. In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that we generated 1.5 billion pounds of all kinds of e-waste in 2006. This includes an estimated 44 million computers and televisions.
This amount is likely to increase because e-waste is growing at three times the rate of other municipal waste. Although e-waste accounts for only one to four percent of municipal waste, it may be responsible for as much as 70 percent of the heavy metals in landfills, including 40 percent of all lead.
Certain items are particularly harmful. For instance, CRT-based computer and television monitors contain on average four to eight pounds of lead, a highly toxic heavy metal.
E-waste should not be considered waste. It is a resource. Useful materials such as glass, copper, aluminum, plastic and other components can often be extracted and reused. Some manufacturers have even referred to e-waste as a valuable source of materials.
With an increasing array of environmentally-friendly options now available, people should consider recycling or donating their old electronic devices. With either choice, we can reduce the amount of e-waste and actually put our old items to good use.
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