Our positive impact on
planet and people 



So, you already know that for every 10 payments you make with bonsai, we plant a tree. In case you’re wondering whether we’re funding a backyard garden project: we’re not. We get why you’re asking: how does this work? Where are we planting these trees? What kind of tree are we planting, and how does it help offset climate change? Very legitimate questions. Here’s the rundown:  

Together with Eden Reforestation Projects we plant trees and improve lives. Simple.

Every time you pay with bonsai, you directly contribute to a mangrove reforestation project in Madagascar.

They improve water quality. The complex mangrove root systems filter nitrates, phosphates & other pollutants out of the surrounding water. They’re literal sponges.

They prevent erosion. The dense mangrove roots not only bind soils, they also build them. The above-ground roots slow down water flows and encourage sediment deposits. That’s a fancy way of saying they create nets for dirt.

They’re a natural buffer for storm surges. Mangroves form a natural barrier between ocean and coastal communities. They reduce wave forces by 70 to 90% depending on the area. It’s estimated that they prevent nearly 55 billion EUR in flood damage each year. Not enough to stop a tsunami in its tracks, but a pretty darn effective breakwall, if you ask us.

They provide habitat to wide variety of wildlife. Mangroves are valuable reservoirs and habitats for thousands of species, including crabs, corals, mammals, etc. The fact that they offer free housing for little critters, both cute and not-so-cute, makes them downright philanthropic, really.

They provide direct food security for nearly 250 million people in coastal areas: every square kilometre generates between 5 and 10 tonnes of fish per year. Even if you’re not big on fish, you have to appreciate that this is quite impressive.  

So now you know why bonsai choses to plant Mangroves 🌱 Mangrove trees are a simple, effective and essential solution to fight against the effects of climate change and to protect local communities.

Mangrove trees are the tree version of a superhero.

They’re real champions when it comes down to biodiversity and giving a one-two punch to climate change.

Here’s why:

They store carbon like a boss. On average, a mangrove forest stores 250 times more CO2 per hectare than the equivalent Belgian forest. And 6 to 8 times more than tropical terrestrial forests. They’re like the Pac-Man of dirty air.

They improve water quality. The complex mangrove root systems filter nitrates, phosphates & other pollutants out of the surrounding water. They’re literal sponges.

They prevent erosion. The dense mangrove roots not only bind soils, they also build them. The above-ground roots slow down water flows and encourage sediment deposits. That’s a fancy way of saying they create nets for dirt.

They’re a natural buffer for storm surges. Mangroves form a natural barrier between ocean and coastal communities. They reduce wave forces by 70 to 90% depending on the area. It’s estimated that they prevent nearly 55 billion EUR in flood damage each year. Not enough to stop a tsunami in its tracks, but a pretty darn effective breakwall, if you ask us.

They provide habitat to wide variety of wildlife. Mangroves are valuable reservoirs and habitats for thousands of species, including crabs, corals, mammals, etc. The fact that they offer free housing for little critters, both cute and not-so-cute, makes them downright philanthropic, really.

They provide direct food security for nearly 250 million people in coastal areas: every square kilometre generates between 5 and 10 tonnes of fish per year. Even if you’re not big on fish, you have to appreciate that this is quite impressive.  

So now you know why bonsai choses to plant Mangroves 🌱 Mangrove trees are a simple, effective and essential solution to fight against the effects of climate change and to protect local communities.

By giving the ecosystem a bit of much-needed TLC, soils and forests become fertile again. This allows local communities to return to farming, which boosts the local economy and makes the world a greener place. Triple win!

Eden Reforestation Projects is now recognized as one of the most cost-effective reforestation projects on the planet.

What role does bonsai play in this?

The planet needs our help, and you need to make payments. As we see it, bonsai is a perfect fusion of personal necessity and planetary gain. What’s more, using the bonsai app doesn’t require too much effort or cramp your lifestyle. Meanwhile, we’ll be on a mission to plant 20 million tress by 2025. No big deal.

What does your personal contribution look like?

In less than three minutes, your bonsai account can be fully set up, and you’re ready to start paying via QR code at all affiliated stores. We plant a tree for every ten transactions – and in the app you can see how many trees you’ve planted. The more you pay via bonsai and the more cashback you earn, the greater your ecological contribution becomes. We’re taking “money makes the world go round” to the next level.

You might know about Eden Reforestation Projects from the search engine Ecosia that plants trees when you use it to look things up online. They also partner with Eden. Eden reforestation projects reduce extreme poverty and restore forests by employing local villagers to plant millions of trees every year.

Due to deforestation, war, drought and nutrient-poor soil, the locals are forced to flee their farms to look for work in cities. This puts them at risk for ending up in slavery or worse. Not a great position to be in to take care of their families, to say the least.

Eden has started more than 80 projects in 8 different countries such as Kenya, Nepal, and Madagascar. And get this: they’ve already planted more than 500 million trees.

By hiring the local people as tree planters, Eden not only makes sure farmers can support their families again, they also ensure better access to groundwater for use on agricultural land.

By giving the ecosystem a bit of much-needed TLC, soils and forests become fertile again. This allows local communities to return to farming, which boosts the local economy and makes the world a greener place. Triple win!

Eden Reforestation Projects is now recognized as one of the most cost-effective reforestation projects on the planet.

What role does bonsai play in this?

The planet needs our help, and you need to make payments. As we see it, bonsai is a perfect fusion of personal necessity and planetary gain. What’s more, using the bonsai app doesn’t require too much effort or cramp your lifestyle. Meanwhile, we’ll be on a mission to plant 20 million trees by 2025. No big deal.

What does your personal contribution look like?

In less than three minutes, your bonsai account can be fully set up, and you’re ready to start paying via QR code at all affiliated stores. We plant a tree for every ten transactions – and in the app you can see how many trees you’ve planted. The more you pay via bonsai and the more cashback you earn, the greater your ecological contribution becomes. We’re taking “money makes the world go round” to the next level.