Although it’s not in our nature to brag, we live in a pretty sweet country called Aotearoa. Our mountains boast picture perfect landscapes, Christchurch has one of the best tap water in the world, and no matter where you are in New Zealand the sea is only an hour’s drive away. We are proud to say that we are “100% Pure”, but are we really?

I must admit, I am somewhat lazy when it comes to recycling, and I know I’m not alone when I say that I often drive to the dairy even though it’s only a five minute walk. My excuse is “how can one person have an effect on the outcome of the environment?” But when you look at the facts, it’s hard to ignore the impact individuals can leave behind.So this year as part of Conservation Week (9-16 Sep) and Keep New Zealand Beautiful Week (16-22 Sep), The Madison Group will be donating funds and our efforts towards restoration projects around New Zealand. Over the next few weeks, Madison gnomes will be rolling up our sleeves to help plant native trees in our urban parks within four major cities; Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. By the end, we will have donated more than 500 trees! Just think about all that fresh air!

However, it’s not just a one day job. We have to make more conscious decisions at home and around the workplace every day to keep our country looking as good as it does now. So before you pick up your keys or hit the print button, here are some facts for you to think about:

• Car crazy
  With 2.5 million cars for 4.4 million people, including children, New Zealand’s car ownership rate is one of the highest in the world. Not only that, but New Zealanders only make about 2% of their journeys by bus and fewer than 1% by rail.

• Get hitched
  70% of carpool users are single. Meeting new people is often quoted as an advantage of carpooling.

• Think twice before you print
  It takes one 15-year old tree to produce half a box of paper and one single office worker to use 10,000 sheets of paper per year.

• Energy for you and your computer
  One recycled aluminium can saves enough electricity to run a computer or a TV for three hours.

• Happy workers
  Incinerating 10,000 tons of waste creates 1 job, landfilling it creates 6 jobs, and recycling it creates 36 jobs.