Trees are a leading symbol of sustainability. And for good reason! They're heroes of our planet, working tirelessly to clean the air we breathe and help regulate climate change.
Unfortunately, in a span of just over ten years, more than 166,000 square miles of forested land have been lost worldwide. That's an area roughly the size of California!
So, what can we do to save our precious trees? Well, I'm glad you asked!
Here are nine simple ways you can take action and save trees:
Let's start with recycling paper and cardboard. Now, you might be thinking: "I already know that I can recycle paper and cardboard!"
But do you know how to recycle them properly?
When it comes to paper, it's important to know the do’s and don’ts of recycling. One wrong move could ruin an entire batch of otherwise ready-to-recycle paper.
A few important reminders:
Reducing consumption should always be the first line of defense when it comes to saving trees, but recycling properly is one way to prevent more waste from piling up in landfills.
Now, let's talk about junk mail. Did you know that the average household in the United States receives the equivalent of one and a half trees per year of junk mail? That's 848 pieces of unwanted mail every year! Even if you didn’t care about how to save trees, wouldn’t it be a relief just to never see another letter regarding your car’s extended warranty?
The good news: There are simple ways to reduce your junk mail load! 🎉
Here are a few options:
Bonus points: Choose paperless billing for your utility and credit card statements!
Opting out of junk mail isn’t just an effective way to save trees. Think about how freeing it will be to never see that endless ‘mail-to-be-sorted-later’ pile stacking up by the door! A clear mind and a clear trash bin.
When you do need paper (whether it’s printer paper, an invitation or greeting card, or a coloring book for the kids), look for post-consumer recycled paper.
Pre-consumer recycled paper is made from paper waste generated during the production process, such as trimmings and scraps.
Post-consumer recycled paper is made from paper that has been used and then collected from households and offices for recycling.
Post-consumer recycled paper is considered more sustainable because it diverts waste from landfills, as well as reduces the need to manufacture new paper from virgin materials (#savethetrees).
This is a simple tip — but one that’s often overlooked. When you’re given a gift bag, don’t throw it away! Repurpose it for your future gifts rather than using wrapping paper (which is often not recyclable!).
There are also many other ways to avoid using gift wrap:
Use your imagination — the opportunities are endless!
Did you know most receipts are not recyclable?
This is because receipts aren’t printed with traditional ink. Instead, they use a chemical coating that is heat-activated in order to rapidly print your itemized details on the little crinkly slip. (You might even recognize the chemical — it’s BPA!)
If you don’t need a receipt, simply tell the cashier when you’re checking out. Many businesses will happily skip the print for you. You may also be given a choice on a tablet nowadays. Choose an email receipt or no receipt to help #savethetrees!
Ever heard of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Rainforest Alliance? Whether you're looking to buy wood or paper products, it's important to look for valid and quality certifications. With the epidemic of greenwashing, some businesses are hard to spot as frauds.
The FSC and Rainforest Alliance are two of the most popular forest certification programs out there. Both organizations certify that wood comes from sustainably managed forests, but there are some differences between them in terms of what each product must meet before being certified.
FSC has standards for paper products and lumber, while the Rainforest Alliance has standards for everything else (including food).
Beware that there are different levels of certification, and a stamp from one of these organizations doesn’t automatically mean that a product is sustainable. When in doubt, do a quick search online to check what the certification entails.
Of course, the paper industry is high on the list for contributing to deforestation (more on this in #9), but did you know some non-wood-or-paper products are also leading causes of deforestation?
Coffee, cocoa (often in the form of chocolate), and palm oil are three of the biggest culprits of deforestation. This is because these items are so profitable that businesses are willing to clear-cut forests in favor of more plantations.
In fact, one third of all rainforest destruction is caused by the clearing of land for coffee plantations.
Luckily, you don’t have to say goodbye to chocolate forever! Again, there are labels and certifications you can look for that will tell you if a company is attempting to #savethetrees.
Here’s what to look for when shopping:
Becoming a responsible consumer is just one of many ways to save trees. Use your spending habits to promote the change you want to see.
Of course, one easy way to save trees is to help plant more of them! Plant native trees in your yard or neighborhood, or join a local Arbor Day project to help plant more trees and restore native habitats to your local area!
Don’t forget to do your research and plant the best trees for your area. And check with the power and water companies before you do any intense digging.
Reducing your paper consumption is an obvious way to save trees, but we all still need essentials like toilet paper and tissues. But turns out, the average person uses the equivalent of 100 rolls of toilet paper every year. That’s a lot of paper!
That’s why at Cloud Paper, we offer tree-free alternatives like toilet paper, paper towels, and facial tissues — all made from bamboo instead of trees! (Psst: Bamboo is actually a grass, which makes it way more sustainable!)
By switching to tree-free paper products, we can significantly reduce the impact of deforestation and preserve our planet's precious trees.
Though these methods may be simple, they all play a part in helping save the trees.
Let's pledge to make these practices a part of our daily routine and play our role in creating a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come.
And if you use any of these tree-saving techniques after reading this, don’t forget to post it on social media and tag it with #savethetrees. Let’s see those changes in action!
