018: Rooted in Change: Reimagining the Christmas Tree Tradition for a Greener Future with Scott “Scotty Claus” Martin

Essential Ingredients Podcast

“It's not that capitalism is out to destroy the environment. It's basically there to make money. And so, if you can replace the mechanism by which it makes money with something that is beneficial for the environment, it'll continue to do that.” —Scott “Scotty Claus” Martin

Christmas trees are a beloved tradition, but the environmental impact of cutting down millions of trees each year is undeniable. But what if there was a way to enjoy the festive spirit of a Christmas tree without the waste? The answer may lie in the concept of living, rented trees— a sustainable solution that's gaining traction.

Scott “Scotty Claus” Martin, the founder of the Living Christmas Company, has dedicated his career to revolutionizing the way we celebrate the holidays. With a background in landscape design and a passion for environmental stewardship, Scotty has been on a mission to change the narrative around Christmas trees and promote a more sustainable approach.

Tune in as Scotty shares his inspiring journey of founding the Living Christmas Tree Company, the strategies he's developed to balance business needs with his social mission, the power of changing people’s narrative, his broader vision for using social entrepreneurship to drive positive change, plus tips for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Meet Scotty:

Scott Martin, also known as Scotty Claus, is the founder of The Living Christmas Company. The idea for the company was born from his experience delivering Christmas trees for a local nursery during his Christmas vacation. Scotty Claus was struck by the joy and magic that a Christmas tree brought into homes but also saddened by the sight of discarded trees after the holiday season. This inspired him to create a more sustainable way to celebrate Christmas.

In 2008, he founded The Living Christmas Company, which allows people to rent living Christmas trees for the holiday season. After the season, the trees are returned to the nursery, repotted, and cared for until the next year. If a tree becomes too large to be used as a Christmas tree, it is planted in the local community or nearby forests through an Urban Reforestation Project2.

Scotty Claus's innovative approach has not only provided an eco-friendly alternative to traditional Christmas trees but has also expanded to include various communities in California, with hopes of reaching environmentally conscious people across the nation

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Episode Highlights:

00:47 The Evolution of The Living Christmas

03:16 Sustainability and Value of Living Christmas Trees

09:23 Navigating Challenges and Expanding Impact

14:46 Social Entrepreneurship

19:09 Tools and Strategies for Success

21:03 Future Goals and Vision

24:19 Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs