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Sustainable solution for Christmas trees after the holidays

Gina and Alex make Christmas trees sustainable in Apeldoorn

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Gina and Alex aim to ensure that Christmas trees have a very long life. They want to make all Christmas trees in the Netherlands more sustainable and ensure that there are no more disposable trees. Every year, we throw away 2.5 million Christmas trees, which is a shame. Gina and Alex haven't found a good alternative to bring back a tree until they start BeterBoompje.

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Robert plants all trees at a replanting location. Gina and Alex give the trees a branded ribbon and choose the Serbian spruce because it has fine, small roots. The trees get a second life by going back to the intake point in January, where people get their deposit back. Some trees are shredded and used as compost, while the rest are planted back. In the first year, around 1300 trees were planted back and 2,500 in the second year.

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In a fun way, Gina and Alex try to make people aware of what happens to the Christmas tree after the holidays. It is a tradition to throw away the tree, but not everyone thinks about the consequences. By planting the trees back, they get a nice second life after Christmas.

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Watch the episode: https://binnenstebuiten.kro-ncrv.nl/buitenleven/video/duurzame-kerstbomen-apeldoorn