Real vs. artificial: Which type of Christmas tree is worse for the environment?

With the holidays just around the corner, an environmental organization wants British Columbians to think carefullybefore choosing between a real and an artificial Christmas tree.

Victoria-based organizationSierra Club B.C.is urging people to consider the environmental impacts of each option before making a decision.

"A live-cut tree has less impact than an artificial one," Sierra Club spokespersonTim PearsontoldGloria Macarenko, host ofOn The Coast.

But he warns that theenvironmental impact of a real treealthough lessthan that of an artificial onestill exists.

People who want to reduce their carbon footprint should makesure their tree is grown locally, without pesticides, and is properly recycled after the holiday season, Pearson said.

The best way to recycle a tree is by turning it into mulch or compost by getting it chipped. But whatever you do, never leave a real tree in a landfill, Pearson warned.

"If it goes in a landfill it will actually end up being a source of methane emissions," he said. "Methane is an extremely bad greenhouse gas, is about 86 times worse than [carbon dioxide] over a 20-year period."

Reducing impact of artificial trees

For people who already own an artificial tree, they should try to use it for at least two decades to reduce its environmental impact, Pearson said.

Twenty years is how long Pearson says it would take for the artificial tree to have the same impact asa real one.

"But the average artificial tree lasts about sixyears before it's thrown out and replaced," he said, adding that artificial trees cannot be recycled because of the way they are made.

Another optionisusing a potted tree that can be brought inside during the holidays and put back outside afterwards, Pearson said.