Trees save cities.
No, we’re not saying that in a “trees improve urban living” or “trees are an important part of the environment” kind of way.
Trees literally save cities in numerous ways, including saving on money.
Don’t believe us? There’s scientific proof.
A team of researchers led by Dr. David Nowak of the USDA Forest Service and Scott Maco of the Davey Institute have recently found that trees are an essential aspect of a city’s makeup.
The research team investigated 10 “megacities” (cities with populations over ten million people) and delved into the relationship between a city’s amount of tree cover and key data points like energy use and water waste, among others.
As you could probably guess, a higher level of tree cover meant cleaner air and water, improved energy use from buildings, a decrease in the effects of climate change, and improved flood protection.
Besides the environmental benefits, trees even saved money for cities and their inhabitants.
For every square kilometre of tree cover, the study found that a given city saved almost $1 million in health care costs related to air pollution, $20,000 by capturing water runoff, and $478,000 by reducing the amount of energy needed to heat/cool buildings.
More tree cover also means less CO2 emissions, saving a city a median dollar value of $7.9 million.
All in all, trees provided megacities a total saving of $505 million, or almost $1 million per square kilometer of tree coverage.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, the study also found that every city could add more trees. On average, 18% of space in megacities could be used for trees.
With that in mind, planting more trees is important, but so is protecting the trees we already have.
Remember, the benefits of tree coverage doesn’t only apply to megacities. Towns and communities of any size or location will see savings thanks to trees.
Losing trees should always be a last resort, even if they’re needed for raw materials.
Fortunately for trees everywhere, Rebox is doing its part.
Rather than recycle used corrugated cardboard box (CCB) waste, Rebox reuses those materials, saving trees in the process.
In fact, for every ton of boxes that are reused instead of recycled, 17 trees are saved.
By reusing CCBs, a significantly smaller “footprint per consumer use” is created, which ensures fewer trees are cut down less frequently.
Reuse a cardbox box with Rebox, save a tree, and save your city some waste, energy, and money.
Trees are saving us, so why not give trees a hand?