11 Oct 2023 Eurolabel offsets its paper consumption, gaining PrintReleaf certification
Eurolabel is certified by PrintReleaf, the first platform in the world for certified, automated reforestation.
Our forestry footprint is thus offset in global reforestation projects.
How do we offset our forestry footprint?
Offsetting our forestry footprint follows a rigorous procedure:
- Our paper consumption is measured by PrintReleaf
- PrintReleaf calculates the number of trees used to produce what we have consumed
- PrintReleaf proposes reforestation projects equating to our effective paper consumption
- Eurolabel chooses one of the projects, cancelling out its forestry footprint
The consumption data are updated automatically in the online platform and converted into environmental offsetting, using the PrintReleaf standard. This allows us to measure our impact on forests over time.
The reforestation project chosen by Eurolabel in Malaysia
The project is taking place in the areas of protected forest surrounding the Kinabatangan river, in eastern Sabah, Malaysia thanks to the work of One Tree Planted, PrintReleaf’s certified Forestry Partner.
The highly degraded forest areas, caused by historic fires and illegal deforestation, are cleared of invasive vines and weeds. The deriving green waste is removed to prepare for planting of saplings which are cultivated in a nursery owned by the local community. The variety of saplings is selected on the basis of their tolerance of the soil conditions of each site and possible intermittent flooding. The saplings are planted at two-metre centres, for a density of around 2,500/ha.
One Tree Planted maintains a positive working relationship with a nearby community, the village of Batu Puteh. The village supports a local co-operative which provides supervision and labour for the clearing, planting and maintenance of each site. As of today, this project offers employment to over fifteen men and women, with equal pay for all sexes and compliant with Malaysia’s minimum wage law.
Our long-term goal is to see this number increase to 30 people and to introduce additional training and development opportunities for the local community and workforce.