howdy mulchers!

You know what’s on my mind this week?

I’ve been walking through the Union Square Greenmarket a lot lately, and honestly… it’s been doing something to me. The fresh wreaths, the eucalyptus bouquets, the spiced cider, the whole entire holiday market… I’m in full-blown holiday-nesting mode.

Last year, I got rid of almost all my Christmas decor — it was mostly plastic trinkets I didn’t love, and I didn’t even put them out last year.

But now, shrouded in the scent of real pine and seasonal greenery, I found myself wondering: should I let myself give in and buy new holiday decor? And more importantly, what’s actually the more sustainable choice?

So let’s talk about it.

🌲 Real vs. Artificial: Which Is Better for the Planet?

This debate comes up every year, and the answer isn’t as cut-and-dry as people expect. Here’s the quick version:

Real greenery has a lot going for it

• It’s biodegradable and compostable. Once you’re done, it can become mulch, soil food, or habitat material.

• Christmas trees and wreath greens are grown as crops. For every tree harvested, farms typically plant one to three more.

• While growing, these evergreens provide wildlife habitat and capture carbon.

• And of course, nothing beats the scent of fresh pine in a winter apartment.

Artificial décor isn’t inherently evil — if you use it for a long time

Plastic trees, garlands, and wreaths are made of PVC and metal, which carry a heavy manufacturing and shipping footprint. On the flip side, if you keep the same artificial tree for 10+ years, its per-year environmental impact can become comparable to buying a real tree annually.

The problem is, most artificial decor isn’t kept for 10 years. Trends change. Lights break. Amazon tricks your brain into thinking you need something new.

And unlike natural décor, artificial pieces don’t biodegrade. Once they’re tossed, they’re in a landfill forever.

🌿 If You’re Feeling the Pull Toward Real Greenery…

Same.
And honestly? It can be a lovely, responsible choice — especially if you do it thoughtfully:

• Buy local (NYC has tons of small tree stands and market vendors with locally sourced stock).

• Compost or mulch everything after the holidays — NYC Parks even has “Mulchfest” every January.

• Consider a live potted tree you can keep on your windowsill, your fire escape, or bring to a community garden.

• Choose simple wreaths and garlands made only of natural materials so they can decompose fully.

These choices keep the loop tight: local → seasonal → compostable → back to the soil.

And if you already own plastic decor?

The most sustainable thing to do is use what you already have, for as many years as possible. After all, sustainability isn’t about aesthetic purity — it’s about reducing waste.

So, I think I’ll lean into this holiday season

In a dense, built environment like NYC, the holiday season is one of the few moments where nature sneaks back into our communal spaces — windowsills draped with cedar, stoops adorned with fresh pine, tiny evergreens lined up at bodegas.

Leaning into real greenery is a sweet way to bring a bit of wildness home. And if you handle it responsibly, it’s a choice that fits beautifully with Mulch’s mission to reconnect city dwellers with nature in small, joyful ways.

❄️ Andrea

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