Plant a Forest for Me FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Plant a Forest for Me”?
Who are your founding partners?
How is this different from "Plant a Tree for Me"?
Does Dell contribute to the program?
Can any organization join?
Are you covering products under the expanded program?
What types of trees are planted? Where?
How did you estimate donation amounts?
Can planting trees really make a difference?
How do you ensure the trees needed to sequester the carbon will be planted and managed sustainably?
Q: What is "Plant a Forest for Me"?
A: "Plant a Forest for Me" is a global community of organizations committed to improving the environment for the long-term. Dell launched the program in September 2007 to enable organizations of any size or location to join with the company and members of The ReGeneration, people of all ages who care about environment. Dell partners with The Conservation Fund and Carbonfund.org, non-profit organizations that plant trees in sustainably managed reforestation projects.
Q: Who are your founding partners?
A: ABN AMRO, AMD, Ask.com, Salesforce.com and WellPoint.
Q: How is this different from "Plant a Tree for Me"?
A: Dell first launched "Plant a Tree for Me" in January 2007 to provide consumers the opportunity to offset the CO2 emissions related to the use of their computer equipment. "Plant a Forest for Me" enables organizations worldwide to share best practices, partner with Dell and facilitate the planting of millions of trees in sustainably managed reforestation projects.
Q: Does Dell contribute to the program?
A: Yes, Dell has committed significant funds and resources to the program.
Q: Can any organization join?
A: Yes, for more information on becoming a "Plant a Forest" partner, please contact your Dell sales representative.
Q: Are you covering products under the expanded program?
A: Yes, organizations with Dell or other branded equipment can donate $40 for a server, $13 for a computer workstation, $6 for a desktop, $4 for a CRT monitor, $4 for a laser printer, $3 for an LCD monitor, $2 for a laptop and $1 for an inkjet printer to cover the carbon impact of the average amount of electricity used by the device over three years.
Q: What types of trees are planted? Where?
A: The Conservation Fund and Carbonfund.org only plant native trees and they are planted in sustainably managed forests including national wildlife refuges. The Conservation Fund also focuses on reforestation efforts in the Lower Mississippi River valley area. Additional projects are underway in Europe and Asia.
Q: How did you estimate donation amounts?
A: Donation amounts are based on expected average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the production of electricity needed to power the systems over three years – for example, use of a laptop corresponds to approximately .45 tons of CO2 emissions, and for a desktop 1.26 tons. The cost of the carbon offset is $4.75 per ton. On average a tree will sequester 1.33 tons of CO2 over 70 years through the program. Thus, the offset donation required to neutralize the carbon impact for laptops is $2 and $6 for desktops.
Q: Can planting trees really make a difference?
A: Yes, over an average 70 year lifespan of a tree, it will trap about 1.3 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. That is roughly the emissions that would result from a road trip from Maine to California. That more than offsets the carbon emitted from the production of electricity used to power a computer during its average life span.
Q: How do you ensure the trees needed to sequester the carbon will be planted and managed sustainably?
A: Our reforestation partners work with the forestry project developers and supporters to ensure, among other things, that the management practices are sound, the project results are properly analyzed and documented, and that project management can ensure that they will be able to maintain their oversight for the useful life of the planting. In addition, the reforestation methodologies and results are 3rd-party audited to confirm and accredit the emissions reductions.
