During Arbour Week 2011 IMPERIAL Logistics, together with member companies Express Hauliers, IMPERIAL Distribution, 777 Logistics, Paltrack and Pragma planted 210 trees across Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Trees were planted at Tembisa’s Maphutha Secondary School and Moriting Primary School, Ekujabuleni Primary School in Pinetown and Berzelia Primary School in Cape Town.

IMPERIAL Distribution committed to planting an additional 570 trees over the coming 12 months. IMPERIAL Cargo will be planting a further 80 trees at a separate event, bringing the total number of trees to be planted to 860 through this IMPERIAL Logistics Arbour Week initiative.

“Business has many ways in which to cut its carbon footprint, consume less water and generate energy more efficiently. Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) in particular have much to contribute to greening supply chains, which in turn has a profound impact on greening operations,” said Abrie de Swardt, Marketing Director of IMPERIAL Logistics.

IMPERIAL Logistics’ tree planting initiatives are taking place in partnership with Food & Trees for Africa , who are assisting with the procurement of trees and providing logistical support at each event.

“As producers of oxygen and food, as well as being a mechanism through which carbon dioxide is literally locked away, our environment needs more trees. It has been calculated that one mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year. In addition, trees help to clean our air, fight soil erosion and reduce heat levels. What an uncomplex, beautiful and truly effective way of greening our environment,” concluded de Swardt