Last week I made the trip down to the Colac Otway Shire of Victoria for a very cold but memorable day with Officeworks as part of their Restoring Australia initiative.
The project is in partnership with Greening Australia, a not for profit working with farmers and communities to return life to natural landscapes across Australia.
There are regions across Australia with high land-clearing rates where 85% of the natural landscapes have been lost. This has had a devastating impact on local biodiversity.
Restoring Australia aims to regenerate landscapes across Australia by re-vegetating bushland and cleared farmland which will help local wildlife return and thrive in these regions.
"Officeworks will plant 2 trees for every 1 used, based on the weight of paper based products customers buy at Officeworks."
Restoring Australia
Officeworks recognises the impact paper based products are having on the environment which is why they partnered with Greening Australia to plant two trees for every one used, based on the weight of paper based products purchased by customers. In addition to the Restoring Australia projects, Officeworks provide them with funding for important on-ground restoration work around Australia.
Across the last two years Officeworks have planted and incredible 326,000 trees across the Tasmanian Midlands, New South Wales Highlands, Victorian Volcanic Plains, Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island.
But the initiative is making a broader environmental impact beyond tree planting.
Cleared farmland in Alvie, Victoria
The Officeworks team braving the early morning cold
Walking down to the planting site on The Stony Rises farm
Stony Rises
The planting day I attended was held in Stony Rises a working a cattle farm in Alvie, Victoria. The regeneration project took place in the basin of what was once Lake Gnarlingurk, now an almost barren landscape save for some native grasses.
For this project the Officeworks team (yes the actual team from the Officeworks head office and stores!) planted 3000 native seedlings along the edge of the basin including Eucalypts, Rodwayi, and Acacias.
The main purpose of the project is to create new environments for endangered species, improving water quality and the overall biodiversity of the regions where the tree plantings take place.
Stony Rises landowner Nigel Barry mentioned that since the first planting eighteen months ago, he has seen Eastern Grey Kangaroos returning to his farm for the first time in many years. Just one example of the positive impact Restoring Australia is having on the environment.
Planting 3000 native trees
Making better choices
Officeworks has been my go to for many years first as a child with mum for school books and pens, then feeling grown up shopping for my own uni supplies, and now as a business owner for office furniture and equipment. I like supporting companies who are committed to being a sustainable business and Officeworks are walking their talk.
In addition to the more commonly known recycling programs, Officeworks use 100 per cent recycled or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood fibre products. They’re also investing in resources to reduce energy consumption in stores and ensuring all suppliers are compliant with the Ethical Sourcing Policy.
They are growing as a sustainable business and putting the needs of the environment and people first.
You can learn more about the Officeworks Restoring Australia initiative here.
This post was sponsored by Officeworks, all opinions are my own.
