9 Simple Yet Effective Ways to Save Trees

by Dev MG February 16, 2023

Image of forest of trees

Key Takeaways

Global forests have declined at a massive scale over recent decades.
Recycling paper correctly helps keep more material out of landfills and protects trees.
Reducing junk mail and choosing post-consumer recycled paper lower demand for virgin wood pulp.
Certifications like FSC, Rainforest Alliance and RSPO help you choose responsibly sourced products.
Everyday goods like coffee, cocoa and palm oil contribute to deforestation; certified options reduce that impact.
Planting native trees supports local ecosystems and helps restore lost forest habitat.
Switching to tree-free bamboo products is an easy way to reduce your paper footprint.

Trees are a leading symbol of sustainability, and that’s for good reason. They're our planet’s heroes, working tirelessly to clean the air we breathe and help regulate climate change.

But in just a 13-year span, more than 166,000 square miles of forested land have been lost worldwide. That's an area about the size of California.

So, what can we do to protect our precious trees? We’re glad you asked! Here are nine simple ways you can take action and save trees.

1. Recycle Paper and Cardboard Properly

Image of toilet paper/paper towel cores

Recycling the right way keeps usable paper fibers in circulation and prevents entire batches from becoming contaminated.

Let's start with recycling paper and cardboard. Now, you might think, “I already know I can recycle paper and cardboard.” But do you know how to recycle them 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.

Here are a few important reminders:

Don’t recycle anything with grease or chemicals on it. Grease and chemicals absorb into fibers and can’t be removed. If they make their way into a vat of paper pulp, they can contaminate the whole batch.
Don’t recycle shredded paper. It slips through sorting equipment, clogs machines and can cause the entire load to be landfilled. The bits are too hard to separate, so only special facilities can process it.
Do compost when you can’t recycle. It depends on what you’ve used the paper for, but shredded paper is often great for your compost. Consider using it to help out your garden instead.

Reducing consumption should always be the first line of defense when it comes to saving trees. Recycling correctly is one way to prevent more waste from piling up in landfills.

In short. Recycle correctly to keep usable fibers out of landfills and reduce demand for new tree-based pulp.

2. Reduce Your Junk Mail by Opting Out

Cutting down on junk mail lessens the demand for unnecessary paper production and reduces waste at home.

Did you know the average U.S. household receives the equivalent of 1.5 trees of junk mail annually? That's 848 pieces of unwanted mail every year.

Let’s say you didn’t even care about how to save trees. Wouldn’t it be wonderful just to never see another letter about your car’s extended warranty?

Image of mail piled up

The good news is that you have simple ways to reduce your junk mail load:

Register your name and address on the National Do Not Mail List to reduce unwanted promos and flyers.
Remove your name from the mailing lists most national and regional companies use via the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) Mail Preference Service. This reduces catalogs, telemarketing calls and emails.
Use the Catalog Choice service, a fantastic option for reducing unwanted catalogs without having to individually call each business.
Choose paperless billing for your utility and credit card statements.

Opting out of junk mail isn’t just an effective way to save trees. Think about how freeing it’d be to not see that endless mail-to-be-sorted-later pile stack up by the door.

A clear mind and a clear trash bin mean relief all around.

In short. Opt out to prevent unnecessary paper production for mail you didn’t ask for and protect more trees.

3. Use Post-Consumer Recycled Paper

Choosing post-consumer recycled paper ensures used materials get a second life instead of becoming landfill waste.

Look for post-consumer recycled paper when you need paper. That applies whether it’s printer paper, an invitation or greeting card or a coloring book for the kids.

What’s the difference?

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’s been used and then collected from households and offices for recycling.

Post-consumer recycled paper is more sustainable because it diverts waste from landfills. It also reduces the need to manufacture new paper from virgin materials.

In short. Support post-consumer products to close the recycling loop and ease pressure on forests.

4. Use a Reusable Gift Bag Instead of Wrapping Paper

Reusable gift bags eliminate single-use wrapping paper, much of which you can’t recycle.

Don’t throw away a gift bag when someone gives it to you. It’s a simple tip but easy to overlook. Repurpose bags for your future gifts rather than using wrapping paper.

Image of a reusable box for a gift

You have many other ways to reduce gift wrap:

Use decorative baskets.
Add a tote bag as part of a gift.
Wrap your gift in cloth or tea towels as a stylish and sustainable way to present it.
Hide your unwrapped gift and send the recipient on a treasure hunt.

Use your imagination: The opportunities are endless. You’ve also got tons of creative ways to host gatherings that are fun, memorable and sustainable, summer through winter.

In short. Make small swaps, like reusing bags, to cut down on disposable paper waste over time.

5. Decline Receipts When Possible

Thermal receipts add tons of paper waste each year and often contain bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that complicates recycling.

Did you know most receipts are nonrecyclable because they aren’t printed with traditional ink? Instead, they use a heat-activated chemical coating to rapidly print your itemized details on little crinkly slips. You might recognize the chemical: BPA.

If you don’t need a receipt, simply tell the cashier while checking out. Many businesses happily skip the print for you. You may also have a choice on a tablet; choose an email receipt or no receipt to save trees.

In short. Skip printed receipts to keep harmful chemicals out of recycling streams and reduce needless paper use.

6. Know Your Tree-Saving Certifications

Certifications help you identify products made with responsible sourcing and forest-friendly practices.

So look for valid and quality certifications when shopping. Whether you're buying wood or paper products, it's important to look for legitimate ones. With the greenwashing epidemic, some businesses are hard to spot as frauds.

Ever heard of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Rainforest Alliance? They’re two of the most respected forest certification programs out there.

Both organizations certify that wood comes from sustainably managed forests. However, they have some differences in terms of what each product must meet before certification.

The FSC sets standards for paper products and lumber, while the Rainforest Alliance has standards for everything else (including food).

Remember that there are various certification levels, and a stamp from one organization doesn’t automatically mean a product is sustainable. When in doubt, do a quick online search to check what the certification involves.

In short. Learn what these certifications mean to help your purchases support companies committed to sustainable forestry.

7. Learn the Common Culprits of Deforestation

Many everyday products contribute to deforestation, even when they’re not made from wood or paper.

Naturally, the paper industry is high on the list for contributing to deforestation (more on that later). But did you know some non-wood and non-paper products are also leading causes of deforestation?

Coffee, cocoa (often in the form of chocolate) and palm oil are three of the biggest culprits of deforestation. These items are so profitable that businesses are willing to clear-cut forests in favor of more plantations.

Image of coffee cherries

In fact, agricultural expansion is a primary cause of rainforest destruction. That includes palm oil and coffee fields.

But you don’t have to say goodbye to chocolate forever.

Look for labels and certifications that tell you whether a company is attempting to save trees:

For coffee. Find labels like “shade-grown” and “bird-friendly.” This means the coffee comes from plantations that maintain many of their natural trees and habitats.
For cocoa. Look for the Rainforest Alliance certification.
For palm oil. Check for a stamp of approval from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) or labels like “orangutan-friendly.” And remember that palm oil is in just about everything, from soaps and lotions to food and beverages.

Becoming a responsible consumer is just one of many ways to save trees. Use your spending habits to promote the change you want to see.

In short. Choose certified versions of coffee, cocoa and palm oil goods to help reduce agriculture-driven deforestation.

8. Plant Native Trees

Planting native trees restores local habitats, supports wildlife and strengthens ecosystems long-term.

One easy way to save trees is to help plant more of them, of course. Plant native trees in your yard or neighborhood. Consider joining a local Arbor Day project to help plant more trees and restore native habitats to your local area.

Don’t forget to do your research and plant the best trees for your area. And check with the power and water companies before you do any serious digging.

In short. Add native trees to your community to produce environmental benefits that flourish for decades.

9. Switch to Tree-Free Paper Products

Tree-free alternatives like bamboo reduce reliance on traditional paper and help protect forests from overharvesting.

Reducing your paper consumption is an obvious way to save trees. But we all need essentials like toilet paper and tissues. Still, the average person uses about 100 rolls of toilet paper every year.

That’s why at Save Trees, we offer tree-free alternatives like toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissues. We make all our premium paper products from bamboo instead of trees. Bamboo is a grass, which makes it that much more sustainable.

By buying bamboo toilet paper, we can significantly reduce the impact of deforestation and preserve our planet's priceless trees.

In short. Switch your daily essentials for bamboo paper products. It’s one of the simplest ways to shrink your eco footprint.

Make Real Change With Save Trees Paper Products

We’re committed to curbing deforestation at Save Trees (it’s right in our name).

Browse our shop to find eco-conscious toilet paper, paper towels, tissues and more. They’re all good to your body and good for the Earth. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Simple Daily Habits Still Save Trees

These practices may be simple, but they all play a part in helping save the trees. Let's make them part of our daily routine and play our role in creating a greener, more sustainable future.

If you use any of these tree-saving tips after reading this, don’t forget to post about it on social media. Tag it with #savethetrees, and let’s see those changes in action!