The app currently relies on an average CO2 emissions of 15 tonnes per year, of which 14.5% is allocated to transportation and mobility (source). The app does not currently allow for personalization of consumption, and thus indicate, for example, flying more or less than the benchmark. With the 15 tonnes, we assume the "average" Belgian.

Ruben Ceulemans, PhD in ecology (University of Potsdam) and Data Scientist at bonsai.

This refers to all road infrastructure, all public buildings such as schools, hospitals, libraries, etc.

If all Belgians would participate in the #bonsaichallenge, we could plant about 550 million mangrove trees, which amounts to about 550 km2 of forest.

a) Reforestation is a good, natural way to reduce CO2 levels in our atmosphere. Young trees need a lot of CO2 as they grow. Although, of course, emitting less CO2 still remains the best option for the climate.

b) Reforestation of mangrove forests in particular has other desirable effects on the environment: conservation of biodiversity by increasing the natural habitat of plant and animal species, water retention, water desalination, erosion control, protection from storms and tidal waves, and job creation (source).  

c) CO2 offsetting is not an exact science. Some see reforestation as a good way to offset carbon, provided the reforested areas are protected from destruction for long enough (at least 50 years). By then, hopefully, we will have found a solution to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels.  

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a. Mangrove trees, which can only grow in tropical regions and climates, are among the most efficient resources in terms of capacity to absorb and store carbon. A mangrove forest absorbs up to 4x more carbon than an average forest in Belgium (Donato, D. C. et al. Mangroves among the most carbon-rich forests in the tropics. Nature Geosci 4, 293-297 (2011).). Mangroves are so efficient because of their dense underground root system. Madagascar is also an ideal place for mangrove reforestation, as the original natural forests have been extensively destroyed in recent years.  

b. In Madagascar, the destruction of huge tracts of natural forest has led to significant habitat degradation. The mangrove forests that were destroyed actually performed several functions crucial for agriculture (protection against erosion, desalination of water, etc.). Reforestation of mangroves will therefore not only remove much more CO2 from the atmosphere than replanting an average Belgian forest, it also does not conflict with current local land use, on the contrary, it will even help restore degraded agricultural areas.

This is a calculation based on the total duration of the growth phase of a tree, which is on average 25 years. That is, it takes an average 25 years for a tree to grow to maturity. It is mainly during this growth phase that a tree absorbs and stores a lot of CO2, about 300 kg of CO2 per tree.

We contribute to the environment, of course, but it is also a way to show potential new bonsai users how easy it is to do something good for the planet and have a positive impact.

a. A major problem with reforestation as a compensation strategy is the conflict with other land uses. In order for an area to be sustainably reforested, it must be protected as a forest for a sufficient period of time. Belgium has a very high population density. Especially Flanders is highly urbanized and the non-urban areas consist mainly of agricultural land. Therefore, reforestation in Belgium would likely involve the reallocation of significant tracts of urban or agricultural land.  

b.Cf. answer to "Why exactly are you planting mangrove trees in Madagascar?"

a. We donate 10% of our revenue to Eden Reforestation Projects.

b. Eden, founded in 2004, is a non-profit organization that works in developing countries to rebuild natural landscapes destroyed by deforestation.

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Yes, we do. Also when we order marketing material, we offset the CO2 emissions as much as possible.

It is not! Apple Pay is completely free.

You can use Apple Pay with any device (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac) listed on the Apple Support page. (https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208531)

For safety reasons we ask you to re-link your bank account every 3 months. This is necessary to keep paying with Apple Pay. Think of it like logging in to a device that isn’t your own – we just want to make sure you have complete control over what’s happening.

To see  your spending limit, select your bank account in the bonsai app. Bonsai does  not allow your bank account to go below €0, even if your bank does. We like  to help you stay debt-free.

When your card is paused, it can no longer be used to make payments. This includes Apple Pay payments. You can unpause your card at any time to continue paying.

You can block your account by contacting us the good old-fashioned way at +32 472 85  57 03 or support@paybonsai.com. Or simply write us a message via the app.

Bonsai offers a credit card with ALL benefits and NO downsides.

This card is completely FREE.

It works like a REGULAR BANK CARD. The money is withdrawn from your account shortly after you made a payment, not at the end of the month.

Beware. This credit card does not offer insurance.

The EU tightened security on online payments in April 2021. This means that payments will require a Digipass or other security measures. We have chosen to ask  security questions and to enter a unique code that will be sent to you via SMS. This way you can pay safely anytime, anywhere.

This is because the bonsai card makes use of the Mastercard credit network to process your payments. We don’t offer credit the way Mastercard does. You can only spend as much money as you currently have in the bank account linked to the bonsai app (see “bonsai spending limit”).

The bonsai Mastercard is completely free.

It takes anywhere from 1 to 3 business days for your money to be withdrawn from your bank account, depending on your bank.

At the moment, not every bank has the PSD2 connection capabilities to offer the open  banking services that allow for Apple Pay to work. Do you want to know if your bank supports Apple Pay? Send us a message via the bonsai app.

When you request to deactivate your account, we will automatically block your virtual bonsai Mastercard. This means it can no longer be used, nor reactivated.

No, sustainability is of major importance to bonsai. This is why we only offer a virtual card.

Currently, you can only request a bonsai Mastercard when you have your residency in Belgium.

You need the latest version of iOS or iPadOS (https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204204), watchOS (https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204641) or macOS (https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201541).

- You have an account with one of the supported banks connected via bonsai

- You have a bonsai Mastercard

- You have an iPhone, iPad or Mac that is updated to the latest version of iOS

- You have a working iCloud account

- The region on your device is set to Belgium

Yes, go to 'System Preferences', click on 'Wallet & Apple Pay' and follow the instructions. You will have to enter and confirm your bonsai Mastercard details yourself. You can find them under Card info > Show card number.

The  latest devices will accept up to 16 different cards in the Apple Wallet app. Older types only have room for 8. For more information, visit the Apple Support website: https://support.apple.com/nl-nl/HT204506

Go to the Wallet app on your device and tap the card you want to remove.

   - Tap the blue circle with three white dots in the upper right corner

   - Select 'Delete this card' at the bottom

   - Your card is permanently removed    

Transactions made with the bonsai Mastercard will no longer be visible in the Apple Wallet app.

Yes, you can add your bonsai Mastercard to multiple devices. However, you will need to re-add the bonsai Mastercard to the Apple Wallet app on each device.

You just have to add your bonsai Mastercard again to the Apple Wallet app on that device. You can do this from the details screen of your bonsai Mastercard.

Yes, this is certainly possible! However, please note that a trader may charge you extra for paying with a different currency. bonsai will never charge you extra.

- In all shops with a contactless payment terminal that accepts Mastercard.

- Via Safari on online shops that work with Apple Pay and Mastercard.

With Face ID:

Double tap the button on the side of your iPhone and look at the screen to identify yourself. Hold the top of your phone against the payment terminal.
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With Touch ID (fingerprint):

Double-click the button on the side of your iPhone. Hold the iPhone against the payment terminal. Keep your finger on the Home button of your iPhone to identify yourself.
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On older iPhone models (with a Home button below the screen):

Double-click the start button at the bottom of the screen. Hold your iPhone a few centimetres away from the payment terminal. Enter your passcode to identify yourself.

Choose Apple Pay as your payment method and confirm the payment with Face ID or Touch ID.

Double click on the side button of your Apple Watch. Hold the screen of your Apple Watch against the payment terminal. Wait until you feel a tap... and done.

It is always best to tell the staff that you want to pay by Apple Pay / Mastercard and not 'by card'. Then they can activate the correct payment option on their register and everything should work fine.

Once your bonsai Mastercard is added to your Apple Wallet, you no longer need an internet connection to make payments. You do need an internet connection to add your bonsai Mastercard to the Apple Wallet app.

Choose the 'Credit card' payment option to pay with Apple Pay at a self-service checkout.

If Touch ID or Face ID is not set up on your iPhone or it does not detect correctly, you can still approve the payment with your iPhone's unlock code.

In the Apple Wallet you will find the latest transactions. In your bonsai app you will find all payments.

Your Apple Pay payment may be declined for several reasons:

- The merchant does not accept MasterCard.
- You do not have enough bonsai available amount to make the payment.
- Your bonsai Mastercard has been paused.
- Your linked account in bonsai has been blocked.
- We have a payment licence from the National Bank of Belgium. Within this license, there are certain categories of merchants (casinos, stocks,  crypto...) for which we are not allowed to do transactions.

The limit is the same as the bonsai limit.

Absolutely! You can never pay without Touch ID, Face ID or your iPhone unlock code.

Did you have the 'Find My iPhone' feature enabled on your device?
Then sign in to iCloud.com to find your device and put it in "lost mode", temporarily disable Apple Pay or completely erase the data on your iPhone or Apple Watch.
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Is 'Find My iPhone' not activated on your lost/stolen device?
Contact bonsai. We will help you immediately.

If you have added your bonsai Mastercard to your Apple Watch, it will be removed automatically.

You can pay with Google Pay on any Android device with version 5.0 or higher and Near Field Communication (NFC). Check if your smartphone has NFC in Settings > Connections.

Google Pay is installed on most Android devices by default. If it’s not, download Google Pay in the Google Play Store. The app works on all devices that have version 5.0 or higher.

Open the bonsai app, click on the “G Pay” button and hold your smartphone close to the payment terminal. You’ll hear a ping sound, your phone will vibrate and your screen will say you’ve won the lottery. Just kidding. This screen will indicate that your payment has gone through. Disappointed? Don’t be: Mother Nature just won the lottery thanks to your purchase.

You can pay with Google Pay in all stores that accept contactless payment AND display the Mastercard logo on the payment terminal.

If you lose your smartphone, please contact our customer support at +32 472 85 57 03 or support@paybonsai.com and we’ll help you out.

Yes, but only with wearables that support Google Pay. Click here for more info.

⚠️ Garmin Pay, Samsung Pay and Fitbit Pay are not supported.

Google ensures payments are both SAFE and CONVENIENT. Being Google, they make use of the most advanced technologies in the world. Buyer beware though, it’s your responsibility to look out for online scams or other forms of fraud such as phishing.

For safety reasons we ask you to re-link your bank account every 3 months. This is necessary to keep paying with Google Pay. Think of it like logging in to a device that isn’t your own – we just want to make sure you have complete control over what’s happening.

To see your spending limit, select your bank account in the bonsai app. Bonsai does not allow your bank account to go below €0, even if your bank does. We like to help you stay debt-free.

When your card is paused, it can no longer be used to make payments. This includes Google Pay Payments. You can unpause your card at any time to continue paying.

You can block your account by contacting us the good old-fashioned way at +32 472 85 57 03 or  support@paybonsai.com.

When you request to deactivate your account, we will automatically block your virtual bonsai Mastercard. This means it can no longer be used, nor reactivated.

Bonsai offers a credit card with ALL benefits and NO downsides.

• This card is completely FREE.
• It works like a REGULAR BANK CARD. The money is withdrawn from your account shortly after you made a payment, not at the end of the month.

Beware. This credit card does not offer insurance.

No, sustainability is of major importance to bonsai. This is why we only offer a virtual card.

The EU tightened security on online payments in April 2021. This means that payments will require a digipass or other security measures. We have chosen to ask security questions and to enter a unique code that will be sent to you via SMS. This way you can pay safely anytime, anywhere.

In the bonsai app, go to 'Accounts'. At the bottom under 'Manage account' click on 'Virtual Mastercard'. Then click on 'Change your security questions' and follow the further steps.

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In the bonsai app, go to 'Accounts'. At the bottom under 'Manage account', click on 'Virtual Mastercard'. Then click on 'Show card number'.

This is because the bonsai card makes use of the Mastercard credit network to process your payments. We don’t offer credit the way Mastercard does, however.
You can only spend as much money as you currently have in the bank account linked to the bonsai app (see “bonsai spending limit” above).

The bonsai Mastercard is completely free.

It takes anywhere from 1 to 3 business days for your money to be withdrawn from your bank account, depending on your bank.

At the moment, not every bank has the PSD2 connection capabilities to offer the open banking services that allow for Google Pay to work. Do you want to know if your bank supports Google Pay? Go to our Google Pay page.

Yes, for sure! However, always be aware that a merchant may charge you extra for paying with a foreign currency. bonsai will never charge you extra.

Currently you can only request a bonsai Mastercard when you have your residency in Belgium. 

First, make sure your bank account is linked in the bonsai app. Then, when you make a payment with your trusted bank card at one of our affiliated merchants, you will automatically earn Leaves in the bonsai app. Once you've accumulated enough Leaves, you can claim your reward in the store.

When you have accumulated enough Leaves you can claim your reward in the bonsai app. You can do this in two ways.

1. Go to 'Rewards' (at the bottom of the home screen), click on the gift icon, select the reward you wish to claim and follow the steps on your screen.

OR

2. Go to 'Rewards' (at the bottom of the home screen), click on the case where you want to claim the reward, press 'claim' at the bottom and follow the steps on your screen.

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By default, we retrieve the transaction summary once a day. You may not see your Leaves until the next day. Do you want to see your Leaves right away? Just press the 'Recalculate' button and your Leaves will be recalculated immediately.

Sometimes it takes additional checking by us to see if the payment was effectively made to the correct merchant.

Leaves expire when you have not made a payment with the merchant for more than a year.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to claim the reward again. We are also unable to reclaim the reward for you. After claiming the reward in the app, you have five minutes tonshow that screen to the cashier(s) and receive your reward.

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This is a code by which the merchant can verify that the reward is a correct bonsai reward. The merchant may request this code.

The Leaves are calculated per euro you spend. If you have spent 2.50 euro, then you have earned 2 Leaves.

Definitely. Go to 'Rewards' in the bonsai app (at the bottom of the home screen) and click on the logo of the desired merchant. Here you will find an overview of the number of Leaves saved at that merchant.

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Your cashback reward will be paid within 3 working days to the linked account you used to make the payment.

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Your claimed cashback reward will appear in your bonsai app immediately.

You can already claim the green rewards, for which you have enough Leaves.

The yellow rewards cannot be claimed yet, as you do not have enough Leaves yet. Keep on saving!

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This is a reward that you can only claim once. You cannot use this reward more than once.

There are no costs involved to use the bonsai app. bonsai is a completely free way to pay securely in stores and online anywhere in the world.