Machelen has a new forest thanks to DHL Express. We planted no less than 3,655 trees at the site on Boskantweg. The trees include sweet cherry, sessile lime, pedunculate oak, hornbeam, sycamore maple, rough birch and a shrub border. These native species provide minimal maintenance, have a long life, and are better adapted to our climate.
Mission 2050
DHL aims to be fully carbon neutral by 2050, and we are well on our way to achieving this goal. For example, we are focusing on bicycle couriers and electric vehicles. Recently, we even purchased 12 fully electric airplanes that will come into use starting in 2024.
The DHL forest of course fits perfectly within our mission to be completely CO2 neutral by 2050. Trees purify the air, cool the air, reduce noise pollution and provide biodiversity. What more could we want?
‘As a logistics provider, we take our responsibility every day in the fight against global warming. The fact that we can help create a greener environment for all of us, and that in the municipality where we are at home, is of course fantastic.’
Danny Van Himste – CEO DHL Express Belux
Earn trees
Of course, a forest requires trees. And we didn’t get them for nothing. Everyone was encouraged to “earn” trees. Our employees could plog (a combination of jogging and picking up trash). Each full garbage bag and each photo of a plogging team resulted in more trees for our forest. Customers were also involved in the project. If they sent a shipment via DHL Express three months in a row and selected the ‘Go Green’ option, a tree was planted for them too.
Schools of Machelen help in planting forest
In the end, we collected no less than 3,655 trees with our action. We chose a nice mix of native species to improve biodiversity. From sweet cherry to rough birch, we got it all.
Unfortunately, all those trees were not planted in 1, 2, 3. So we needed manpower, lots of manpower! Fortunately, 5 schools in Machelen were ready to lend a hand. Afterwards everyone got a nice bowl of soup and a waffle to warm up and regain strength.
Congratulations! Thanks for your hard work!
Read another article in Het Nieuwsblad.
Want to learn more about our green ambitions? Visit our DHL GoGreen webpage.
Images of the DHL forest
