Buy their paper and plant a tree

Last year, Singapore was hit by one of its worst haze crises.

The region was so badly affected, it caused an international uproar that led to action being taken against several oil palm plantations as well as pulp and paper companies.

This has forced some companies to adopt greener agricultural practices.

One company that has been coming up with innovative ways in production is paper company Double A.

Double A Paper-Trees are a natural hybrid species of eucalyptus planted on khan-na in Thailand.

Khan-na is the Thai word for vacant strips of land around and between rice fields.

They serve no purpose other than to allow farmers to visit their agricultural plots.

By engaging Thai farmers and planting its paper trees on khan-na, Double A has managed to avoid deforestation while also allowing the farmers to make more money.

Currently, 1.5 million farmers across Thailand are on this programme.

Double A donates its paper tree saplings to these farmers. To ensure the trees get planted, a field service team visits them regularly.

Once the trees reach maturity between three and five years, farmers may sell the trees back to Double A.

This contributes an average of 8 per cent more to the farmers' incomes.

HAPPY FARMER: Mr Khun Rungwirat, 56, on a khan-na. PHOTOS: ARTFRIDAY

RESPONSIBLE

Now, Double A has turned its attention towards promoting responsible consumerism with its campaign, 1Dream1Tree.

It was launched last month in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand.

A QR code is printed on the packaging of each ream of Double A 80gsm paper.

By scanning the QR code, consumers from the four countries can engage a Thai farmer to plant a Double A Paper-Tree in their name.

Through 1Dream1Tree, Double A hopes to donate a total of 1 million Double A Paper-Tree saplings.

The number of trees donated can be seen on www.1dream1tree.com.

The campaign runs till next month,

As of last Thursday, about 19,000 trees had been donated, with Singapore contributing about 2,000 so far.

This means that about 542 trees were donated per day since the campaign was launched.

Double A's senior executive vice-president Thirawit Leetavorn was happy to see farmers feeling positive about 1Dream1Tree and consumers getting involved with it.

He said: "1Dream1Tree is the beginning of our engagement and collaboration with non-governmental organisations, business, farmers, the media and consumers. For consumerism to mean something, consumption should be sustainable.

"We hope consumers will see the benefits and join. This will encourage us and perhaps other companies to be transparent and promote the greater cause, which is preserving our planet for the next generation.

"1Dream1Tree is more than a three-month campaign."

For consumerism to mean something, consumption should be sustainable.

- Double A's senior executive vice-president Thirawit Leetavorn