The Living Christmas Company

Head tree-hugger and Christmas Caroler, Scott “Scotty Claus” Martin, was once ashamed by the discarded Christmas Trees that would line the streets after the holidays. Now, thanks to the Living Christmas Company, families can invite the same tree over for the holidays year after year.

Once delivering for a nursery, Scott Martin came up with the idea that Californians should rent a tree, and then return them to a nursery to be cared for so they could be rented out again the following year, and upon request even rent the same tree. So Scott created a company that would not only offer both environmentally friendly products and services, but also an environmentally preferable delivery system. Once the trees are too big or unfit to be rented out, they become part of an Urban Reforestation Project.

Cutting Costs Through Delivery

Every mile traveled takes fuel and fuel costs money. The Living Christmas Co. decided to design a delivery system based on reducing miles traveled for every truck.

Delivery software is used to plan optimum delivery routes and tracks real time efficiency and drivers are able to deliver up to 40 trees per route. Phone calls, automated emails and text messages ensure that the customers are home when the trees are being delivered minimizing redeliveries to less than 5%.

Delivery trucks fueled by biodiesel allow for onsite storage, minimized travel for refueling, improved efficiency, and increased cost savings.

Brownfield and Blight

Shell agreed to let Living Christmas Co. grow their trees on abandoned refinery land designated as brownfield, land that was previously used for industrial purposes that may be contaminated. This relationship significantly reduced the land and transportation costs, and maximized the use of land that would otherwise be left as unproductive. This agreement allows The Living Christmas Co. to research additional varieties of trees and pines and increase their positive impact on future habitats.

Environmental and Fair-trade Products

Not only does The Living Christmas Co. offer a great eco-friendly choice for your Christmas tree, but they also offer a great selection of fair-trade, locally made, and eco-friendly Christmas themed products from LED energy conscious Christmas lights to fair-trade ornaments. These products support women’s programs in India, Tibetan refugees in Nepal, and support the green industry locally.

“Unlike cut trees from Oregon and artificial trees from China, our trees don’t travel thousands of miles. Online ordering further reduces our carbon footprint and allows us to optimize delivery routes. Instead of dozens of single trips to and from tree lots, our clean burning biodiesel trucks deliver dozens of trees in a single trip.”

-Scott Martin, Founder