Whether to get a real tree or to get an artificial one this year? That is the great debate. The answer might actually surprise you. It is actually greener to buy a real tree for Christmas. Most tree farms plant 1 to 3 trees for every one that they cut down. Not to mention while that tree was growing it was soaking up pollutants from the air and trapping them in its roots.

Artificial trees are made of PVC which is made from petroleum and can off-gas in your house for years. They are also mostly made in China so they have to be shipped over here, using more energy and creating more pollution.

If you are going to buy a real tree this year, you can make it even greener by buying from an organic farm that is as close to your home as possible. If there are no organic farms, you can still buy locally and save the greenhouse gases needed to bring the tree home.

When Christmas is done, be sure to recycle your tree. Many communities offer curb-side tree recycling and then offer the residents the compost created for free or a reduced charge.