While communities nationwide celebrated “America Recycles Day” on Nov. 15, the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) and Earth 911, the nation’s portal for environmental action and information, remind America that the spirit of the day can be carried on throughout the year ” and that a commitment to recycling and the environment is easily demonstrated by purchasing a Real Christmas Tree ” a renewable and biodegradable resource.
Real Christmas Trees are grown as a crop on farms, and new trees are planted every year to replace those harvested. For every tree harvested, up to 3 seedlings are planted in its place the following spring. Today, there are nearly 500,000 acres of Christmas Trees in the United States, with each acre providing the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people. And since they are an organic, natural product ” not synthetic, factory-made ” they can be recycled after the holidays. An estimated 93% of all Real Trees are recycled ” either through community programs or in someone’s garden or yard.
More and more communities are operating programs to recycle Real Christmas Trees, making it more convenient for consumers who need to dispose of the tree after the holidays. Consumers can quickly and easily learn how, when and where to recycle their Real Christmas Tree thanks to a long-term partnership between NCTA and Earth 911, that makes local recycling information available online at www.Earth911.org or via a toll-free number: 1-800-CLEANUP.
“Christmas tree recycling is one of the most popular seasonal recycling efforts each year. Earth 911 has greater than 3,800 Christmas Tree recycling sites in its database,” said Anne Reichman, Director for Earth 911. “Buying and recycling a Real Christmas Tree is one way that each individual can positively impact the environment.”
For communities wishing to start a Christmas Tree recycling program, the NCTA also recently published an online guide of ideas and program recommendations on their website, www.realchristmastrees.org. As you celebrate the season, make the environmentally friendly choice in Christmas Trees — a fresh, farm-grown Real Christmas Tree. And be sure to do your part by recycling it once the season is over.
About The National Christmas Tree Association
The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) strives to be one voice representing Christmas Tree Professionals and promoting the use of Real Christmas Trees. More than 5,100 professionals support NCTA programs through membership; participation (through their state association) in the Tree Industry Partnership (TIP) Campaign and/or individual investments in the RealTree Promotion & Marketing Campaign.
About Earth911
Founded in 1991, Earth911.org is the nation’s premier one-stop environmental Web portal. Earth 911 consolidates community-specific environmental resources into a single, user-friendly information network. It is the mission of Earth 911 to empower the public with local resources needed to improve their quality of life. Through the use of patent-pending alerting technology from its parent company, Global Alerts, and ZIP Code-based applications, Earth 911 helps residents and businesses protect and improve the environment. Community-specific alerts, such as beach water quality alerts, inform citizens of urgent environmental news in their area. As a unique Public and Private Sector Partnership, the Earth 911 network is supported by the private sector so it can be provided at no cost to taxpayers and government. 1-800-CLEANUP is listed on billions of household product container labels guiding consumers to important recycling and disposal information. The network and Web site have been recognized throughout the industry with numerous awards, including the Al Gore Hammer Award and the National Information Infrastructure Award for Recycling.