As the Christmas season approaches, we start to think about how we’re going to deck our halls, looking at wreaths, artificial snow, and of course, Christmas trees.
However, some of our Christmas decor is better for the planet than others, and we at 100Green have spotted a rising festive trend for 2024 that may be doing more damage than good.
The up-and-coming trend of flocked Christmas trees can create a winter wonderland but those who are sustainably-minded will want to stay away from this new snowy christmas tree trend and opt for an easy, greener alternative for the style.
“I’m dreaming of a green Christmas…”
When it comes to the festive season, it can be easy to get swept away with new baubles and wreaths being released each year. In fact, previous research has found that the average household spends £185 on Christmas decorations each year, with 12,500 tonnes going to landfill at the end of the season.
With emerging trends every year, the urge to buy new decorations can be tempting. A new Christmas theme from John Lewis, coined Dawn & Dusk, could also be getting us to even purchase new trees, with the theme centring around a snowy Christmas tree straight out of a forest scene.
While this looks great for a festive scene, those buying into the trend with an artificial flocked Christmas tree will need to commit to using it for at least 15 years to make it as environmentally friendly as purchasing a real tree and recycling it at the end of the season.
However, our new research shows that many are looking to recreate this snowy effect themselves on their own tree with online searches for “snowy Christmas tree” and “flocked Christmas tree” both seeing a 5,000%+ increase in the last 3 months.
While flocking is fine for artificial branches, if you use artificial snow or flocking powder on a natural tree, unfortunately, your evergreen is going to end up in landfill.
Why can’t I recycle a flocked Christmas tree?
So, what is a flocked Christmas tree and why can’t I recycle it?
A flocked Christmas tree is essentially a tree dusted with artificial snow to give the appearance of a natural, snowy scene.
This can be done with flocking powder or aerosol cans of fake snow. Unfortunately, this powder will be made up of materials such as tiny fibres, paper or fatty acids and will be mixed with a form of chemical emulsifiers or adhesives, meaning if you spray them on your natural tree, they’re no longer recyclable.
You can also make a homemade mixture of glitter, baking soda and glue but unfortunately this still won’t save your Christmas tree from landfill as it will still be assumed that your evergreen is covered in chemicals.
How to sustainably create your own Winter Wonderland
However, there are still ways to get a snowy Christmas tree for the season while still being able to recycle your Christmas tree come January.
Of course, using any decorations you already own is the best choice for the planet. So get creative with your existing decor! If you do buy any new decorations, make sure you choose items that you are going to use year after year, so eventually their carbon footprint is neutralised.
1. Opt for flocked decorations that are covered in fake snow - a mix of white and silver will be perfect for making a snowy scene.
2. White garland and additional frosted branches can be bought in for that ‘freshly snowed’ appearance.
3. Look for matte textures and for the flocked texture that feels similar to velvet. Glossy and shiny accessories should be used sparingly as you want to focus on natural, tactile materials.
4. You can also look for white wood washed ornaments that have a snowy effect. These can either sit on your tree or you can take this further and incorporate the feeling into shelves or mantle pieces to create a real winter wonderland that you can also reuse in the years to come.
If you really want your tree to have the snow-covered look, you can also get some artificial branches that are sprinkled with artificial snow that you can then weave into your usual tree. A perfect addition to any existing artificial trees you own, or to your natural tree for the season. Just remeber to keep using them year after year to reduce the carbon footprint.
How do you recycle a Christmas tree?
As mentioned, if you’ve bought a real Christmas tree and you use artificial snow or any flocking alternatives, unfortunately, you cannot recycle your Christmas tree due to the chemicals used.
Real Christmas trees without any added coatings can be recycled and shredded into chippings, which are then used in parks or woodland areas. Some charities and hospices, such as St. Oswald’s and St. Elizabeth, also have ‘treecycling’ schemes, where they will recycle your tree for you – turning them into chippings or even biofuel.
When it comes to recycling your tree, remember to remove any ornaments before you leave it for collection - or you may still find it on your pavement the day after.
Your local council will often have collection days for trees, so look for these on your local authorities website, equally, you can drop off your tree yourself at a recycling centre!
A more sustainable season
Changing your Christmas theme or adding in some new baubles each year can be a great way of bringing a new scene of festive cheer into your home, just be sure you’re still going to love your new decor for the coming years to make it a green choice.
It’s better to invest in something you love and will keep for years to come, than to get something cheap that you’ll throw away the next time you unpack your Christmas decor.
With Christmas seeing the most waste of the year, check out our other guides on sustainable and cost-saving changes for Christmas:
• How to grow your own Christmas dinner
• Are you making these recycling mistakes?
• How to make a sustainable Christmas wreath