Officeworks is greening Australia one tree at a time

Officeworks continues to make its mark in the sustainability stakes kicking off its second year of planting for its Restoring Australia initiative, which aims to plant two trees for every one used by the office supply company’s customers.

Restoring Australia, alongside partner Greening Australia, aims to have 326,000 trees in the ground across 650 hectares by the end of 2018, supporting 31 farmers and landholders.

The Australia-first initiative launched in August 2017, kicked off on the land of a Tasmanian farmer, Julian von Bibra. It is expected over 150,000 trees will be planted in the Tasmanian Midlands by the year’s end.

Other areas to benefit from the program include the Southern Highlands in New South Wales, the Victorian Volcanic Plains, as well as Kangaroo Island and Lake Eyre in South Australia.

The planting focuses on regions where the majority of native plants have been lost. By restoring native plants to these areas, Greening Australia hopes to increase water quality in the region and encourage native wildlife to return to the area.

In the Midlands, thirteen types of seeds and seedlings are being planted, helping to create an ideal environment for the nationally threatened and endangered species who call the land home including Growling Grass Frog, Corangamite Water Skink and the Brolga.

Officeworks Corporate Affairs & Brand Manager, Alexandra Staley said: “We’re delighted to be entering the second year of Restoring Australia. Officeworks has a duty to operate our business responsibly and this initiative is our long-term commitment to making bigger things happen in the communities where we live and work.”

Restoring Australia is one of several Officeworks’ initiatives which focus on sustainability and aim to give back to the environment, such as the compnay’s recyclable ink and toner cartridges and a ban on single-use plastic bags (which has been in force for a decade).

Greening Australia CEO, Brendan Foran said he is proud of what the program has achieved in its first 12 months.

“To have more than 200,000 trees in the ground now, and much more by the end of 2018, is a testament to the hard work of our restoration experts, scientists, researchers and planting team. And of course, Officeworks’ customers.”