In 2019, I decided that I wanted to do more with my business than just make and sell wildlife inspired art - I wanted to use it to change things for the better and protect the beautiful planet that we live on and the animals that give me the inspiration for my digital wildlife illustrations. For the past 5 years I have funded the planting of one tree for every 10 items sold, and thanks to my amazing customers, I have now planted a total of over 400 TREES worldwide!
I strive to make my business as eco-friendly as possible. I make, design and print all of my products here in the UK, to reduce my carbon footprint. My products are made from 100% cotton, rather than man-made fibres, and most recently I have started to make all of my fabric products from GOTS Certified Organic Cotton, which is better for farmers, soil and the planet. All of my packaging is plastic-free, including compostable card wrappers and "green jiffy bags" padded with shredded recycled paper. My business cards, greetings cards and postcards are made from 100% recycled fibres. A couple of years ago I bought my own eco-tank printer which I use to print cards to demand so I am not purchasing overstock. Even the tape I use to seal my orders is biodegradable! However, I wanted to go further than just the packaging so I started planting a tree for every 10 items I sold, in a bid to reduce the carbon footprint of my business and to give back to the amazing natural world that we are a part of.
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now" - Chinese Proverb
There are lots of organisations that plant trees... I did my research and settled on a charity called One Tree Planted who plant trees across the world as part of a number of reforesting projects. Their aim is to make it easier for individuals and businesses to give back to the environment, protecting biodiversity and creating a healthier climate, by planting trees!
Planting trees is so important for the protection of our planet, as deforestation has a huge impact on the climate and the survival of flora and fauna worldwide. For example, did you know that tropical rainforests cover less than 3% of the earth's area yet they are home to more than 50% of our planet's terrestrial animal species? It requires 7 to 8 mature trees to provide the oxygen for one person each year? The earth has over 60,000 different tree species, each creating a habitat for different wildlife? 1.6 billion people depend on forest resources for their livelihoods? More than 60% of anticancer drugs originate from natural sources? Trees are amazing! They are also the best natural way of combatting climate change, as they absorb carbon dioxide, naturally storing it in their trunks and branches, as well as emitting oxygen to help us breathe. Tree cover also helps to reduce ambient temperatures, up to 8°c in some places! Planting trees in city areas can really help reduce the temperatures there, as well as absorbing greenhouse gases and helping to reduce flooding - a mature tree can absorb several thousands of litres of water per year and they redistribute up to 95% of the water they absorb!
Silverpasta's tree planting across the world...
TOTAL = 421 TREES!
If you want to be involved in where I plant trees, follow me on social media where I usually ask my followers to vote for planting locations across the world!
Since starting in 2014, One Tree Planted have planted over 135.5 million trees worldwide! I am really excited that my business and my lovely customers can help this amazing charity achieve their planting goals and help reforest our world!
You can help me plant more trees today by purchasing something from my online shop - I plant one tree for every 10 items sold, even small ones such as greetings cards! Shop my online collection HERE!
If you would like to find out more about One Tree Planted and how and where they plant their trees, or to donate yourself to plant some trees across the world, then visit their website here: https://onetreeplanted.org/