Real Christmas Tree vs Artificial Christmas Tree?

I have always bought a real Christmas tree. I love them. I love the way they smell and look. However I always feel bad in January when you see the dried up trees next to the trash cans. So I was at Target looking at these big expensive artificial trees (and they are pricey if you want one that actually resembles a tree) and thought, "These can't be any better for the environment than cutting down the real thing, they are all plastic." And indeed they are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) which turns out is horrible for the environment and for our health! So if you need a Christmas tree (like me, I LOVE Christmas) then please look to buy one from a local farmer. You can also rent a living one for a little bit more money.
http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2004/12/08/umbra-tree/
http://www.livingchristmastrees.org/rentatree.html
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/polyvinyl-chloride
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/pvc/index.htm

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