Polish Post's green initiative. European Tree of the Year on a postage stamp
On May 22nd this year, Poczta Polska introduced a postage stamp depicting the common beech, the winner of this year's international "European Tree of the Year" competition.
The stamp features an artistic photograph by Bożena Piotrowska, whose frame encompasses intricately intertwined branches, through which sunlight penetrates. The flowering shrubs surrounding the tree create a picturesque landscape, captivating with their profusion of color and harmony. The majestic common beech, known as the "Heart of the Garden," is a two-hundred-year-old tree growing in the Wojsławice Arboretum – the Botanical Garden of the University of Wrocław in Niemcza. The issue is accompanied by a First Day Cover (FDC), the illustrative part of which features a photograph of the same tree, but in its autumnal guise, taken by Dawid Słowiński. The date stamp graphic symbolically depicts the branches and characteristic elliptical beech leaves, along with information about the place and date of issue.
European Tree of the Year Competition
The aim of the "European Tree of the Year" competition is to highlight interesting, old trees as important elements of natural and cultural heritage that we should value and protect. The competition is not based on a tree's beauty, size, or age, but on its history and connections with people. Organizers seek out and celebrate trees that have become an integral part of the community.
Pro-ecological philatelic publications of the Polish Post
It's worth mentioning other environmentally friendly publications from Poczta Polska this year, promoting environmental protection and encouraging broad initiatives in this area. This year's "Europa" issue, with its central theme of underwater fauna and flora, aims to reverse the trend of degradation of the aquatic environments of large lowland rivers. The "Birds of Polish Parks" issue introduced us to the winged inhabitants of parks, while the "Beneficial Insects" issue promoted knowledge about insect biodiversity and their role in the ecosystem. The "World Bee Day" stamp, unveiled a few days ago, highlights the importance of bees for food production and draws attention to threats to these beneficial pollinators.
Ecological initiatives of Poczta Polska
In addition to publications promoting pro-ecological attitudes, Poczta Polska has implemented a number of projects aimed at protecting the environment. Thanks to the digitization of processes and modern forms of communication, Poczta Polska is significantly reducing paper and energy consumption. The internal "Paperless Mail" program, implemented in 2023, reduced document printing by 26%, saving 92,740 reams of paper and 23,000 toner cartridges. Process digitization has streamlined tasks, yielded measurable financial savings, and, above all, reduced carbon footprint. The company is modernizing its sorting facilities and investing in modern machinery and a fleet of electric vehicles, which saves energy and reduces CO2 emissions. It also conducts employee education campaigns to increase environmental awareness.
This year's "Choose Us, Plant a Forest!" initiative also encourages customers to take pro-ecological action. Poczta Polska employees will plant one tree for every 100 Pocztex parcels sent by participating bulk customers.
Poczta Polska's environmentally friendly projects also include the installation of photovoltaic panels, the digitalization of customer services, and the use of eco-friendly packaging materials. These initiatives significantly contribute to environmental protection and help achieve decarbonization goals.
Through such initiatives, Poczta Polska not only promotes environmental awareness but also makes a real contribution to protecting our shared environment. Together, we can do much for nature and future generations.
About the stamp:
author of the project: Poczta Polska
number of stamps: 1
value: PLN 1
circulation: 2,000,000 pcs. repeatable
printing technique: rotogravure
stamp format: 31.25 x 25.5 mm
paper: fluorescent
sales sheet: 100 stamps
date of circulation: May 22, 2024
