a complicated equation
i enjoyed reading this article about real vs. fake christmas trees yesterday, not because i have any intention of buying a tree, but because the beginning of the article basically describes how i attempt to evaluate ANY purchase. where did it come from? how far was it shipped? how was it grown/produced/manufactured? where will it go when i’m done with it?
If at first glance the choice seems like a no-brainer, think again. Then ask your local tree retailer where those real trees were shipped from, or how much petroleum went into the plastic for those fake trees. Go ahead and try to figure out how much gas you use shopping for your real tree every year for 10 years, how much fuel was used to transport that tree (and the air around it), how much energy the local waste company uses for its disposal, and compare that with the petroleum used to make the plastic tree, the fuel used to ship it (in its flat box) from somewhere in Asia, the gas you use shopping for it.
All of that calculating might yield a carbon footprint – ah, but what about the health effects of chemicals used to make the fake tree or grow the real tree? What about water depletion for the real tree? What about the combustibility of fakes? What about the impact of either on the U.S. economy, your wallet or your allergies?
Now, go ahead and do the right thing.
the article more or less concludes that the number of variables to consider when determining whether to buy a product or which product to choose over another in terms of sustainability are completely overwhelming, but even though sometimes it feels like the more informed you are the harder it is to make the decision, there is always a better choice and we should just do our best. (btw: the author concludes that the best thing to do is buy a live tree and compost it.)
Filed in environment, things you can do | Tagged with plastic | Comments (3)3 Responses to “a complicated equation”
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Hey, Amy. This post got me thinking, so I started writing. My comment was too long, though, so I just posted a reply on my blog.
www.mindtangle.net/2007/11/29/social-costs/
Too bad you don’t have trackbacks, but a link should do
thx eric. i responded to your response over there.
You aren’t the only one that does the mental calculations, I do it to a lesser degree.
The best solution is to get a live tree in a container that you can put back outside to live for the rest of the year.
Besides, fake trees are kind of depressing. Kind of like the fireworks we use to celebrate our independence are made by exploited workers in China. Hmm, maybe I mean ironically depressing.