Green Friday 2024: Destroying destructive habits with trees

2 dec 2024

Every year, Black Friday comes with its usual chaos: endless deals, shopping frenzies, and the inevitable pile of waste. It’s a day that encourages habits we all know are harmful. But how do we change these habits?

This year, Green Friday offered something refreshingly different. Instead of overconsumption, we embraced regeneration.

Together, we set out to "Flip the Friday" by gifting trees. A simple, meaningful act that turns a day of excess into a day of growth. And the results? They speak for themselves.

The purpose of Green Friday

The gifting season often feels like a whirlwind. There’s a push to find the best deals, the pressure to check every name off your gift list, and the constant hum of “more, better, newer.” But when you take a step back, it becomes clear that the things we buy often don’t matter as much as the waste we create in the process.

Green Friday is about taking that step back. It’s about changing the focus from products that are used once and then discarded, to something that lasts. Trees do more than absorb CO2 and support the environment. They symbolise growth, resilience, and a better future. Each tree is a living symbol of care—a choice to give something meaningful and lasting.

This movement isn’t about rejecting everything or doing everything perfectly. It’s about thoughtful decisions. Small steps that align with what is important. Green Friday reminds us that even the simplest actions, like choosing trees over products, can spark real change.

This year, those simple actions have added up to something remarkable. Together, we have taken a week built around excess and turned it into an opportunity to give back. That’s the kind of habit worth keeping.

Thanks to your contributions and the efforts of the Treebytree team, Green Friday was a great success! Together we have restored 3690+ trees, of which we matched 10% into the Green Friday Forest.

The impact of the Green Friday initiative

This Green Friday, we made an impact. With your contributions and our matched trees combined, we have regenerated over 4060 trees that will now take root, helping to restore balance to the environment and support life for years to come.

These trees will quietly absorb an estimated 48,708 kilograms of CO2 each year, helping to reduce the effects of climate change and improve the air we breathe. They will also play a crucial role in protecting the topsoil, making sure water gets to where it’s needed most. Each year, these trees will retain around 5,560,000 litres of water, nourishing the earth around them and sustaining ecosystems that rely on this vital resource.

The trees also make a difference for communities. For every 74 trees regenerated, one household of 5 to 6 people benefits from the stability and resources they provide. This means over 54 households or 300 people will feel the positive effects of this initiative.

This Green Friday shows how small actions, when combined, can create meaningful change. Each tree regenerated stands as a reminder that thoughtful choices can lead to lasting impact. Over time, these trees will continue to grow and give back.

A heartfelt thank you

Thank you to everyone who made Green Friday 2024 such a meaningful success. Together, we regenerated thousands of trees, each one a step toward a healthier planet. For the companies that joined us, your Green Friday badge is now available. This badge represents your commitment to sustainability and the thoughtful choices you made during this initiative.

A special thanks also goes to the Treebytree team for their hard work and dedication in making this initiative possible. This Green Friday showed what we can achieve when we work together, and we’re grateful to everyone who played a part in it.

A glimpse ahead

As we reflect on Green Friday 2024, we’re also thinking about what’s next. Together, we have shown how thoughtful actions can make a real difference, and there is much more work to be done.

At Treebytree, we’re creating new ways to make tree gifting even more accessible. While we’ll continue working closely with businesses, we’re also thinking about how individuals can join in, making it easier for everyone to contribute to a greener future.

Initiatives like Green Friday will remain an important part of our efforts, creating moments where we come together for a shared purpose. We’re excited for what’s ahead and grateful to have you with us.