6 Simple Ways To Save Trees
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?
Here are 6 simple ways you can take action and save trees:
Recycle Paper and Cardboard 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:
Grease and chemicals absorb into the fibers and cannot be removed, but if they make their way into a vat of paper pulp, they can contaminate the whole batch!
There are special facilities that can take shredded paper, but most standard recycling centers can’t take shredded paper because their processing system isn’t designed to handle it. In fact, it falls through the crevices and clogs the whole machine! If you put shredded paper in your bin, they are likely to send all of your recycling to the landfill because it’s too difficult to separate the little bits of paper.
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.
Use Post-Consumer Recycled Paper
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.
Use a Reusable Gift Bag Instead of Wrapping Paper
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 decorative baskets.
- Add a tote bag as part of the gift.
- Wrap your gift in cloth or tea towels as a decorative and sustainable way to wrap gifts.
- Hide your unwrapped gift and send the recipient on a treasure hunt.
Decline Receipts When Possible
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 save the trees!
Know Tree-Saving Certifications
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.
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).
ECO BOOM bamboo toilet paper and paper towels are certified by FSC™. By using bamboo, a rapidly renewable resource, we’re reducing our carbon footprint and restoring our precious planet.
Switch to Tree-Free Paper Products
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 ECO BOOM, we offer tree-free alternatives like toilet paper and paper towels — all made from bamboo instead of trees! (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.