Sustainability & Logistics: “From the forest of my childhood to today’s green responsibility”
When I walk through a forest today, there's something deeply calming about it. The smell of damp moss, the crackling of branches under my shoes, the play of light and shadow—all of this reminds me of my childhood. Back then, the forest was my adventure playground.
I was fortunate enough to spend my youth both between screens and tree trunks. Of course, like many children of my generation, I loved watching television. Series, films, and adventure worlds—those were my greatest joys back then. But the real adventures I found were outdoors. In the small wooded areas surrounding our town, where we built camps, constructed huts, and sometimes lost ourselves in nature all day long.
The real forest – in Poland
I experienced a truly real forest later—with endless rows of trees, dense undergrowth, and the feeling of being alone with nature. My parents come from Poland, my father from East Prussia (now Masuria), near the present-day border with Kaliningrad. There, in the far northeast of the country , the forest seems to have no end.
We went there often, summer and winter alike, and each time it was like a different world. As a child, I was fascinated by the fact that wild animals actually lived there. Elk, wildcats, foxes, and beavers were our immediate neighbors in the nearby forest. In one region, there are even bison that roam freely through the woods. This untamed nature fascinated and shaped me.
Of course, back then I wasn't a conservationist in the sense I realize I am today. I was simply fascinated by the trees and the ambiance the forest creates. We rode through the woods on motorcycles and old cars that were no longer roadworthy, but they were perfectly adequate for the adventure in the forest. Looking back, it definitely wasn't the most environmentally conscious thing you could do. Nevertheless, it was a feeling of pure freedom, and I still associate it with precious memories today.
From adventure to mindfulness
Today, I see the forest with different eyes, with a deeper insight into what it truly represents. For me, it's no longer a mere playground, but a place of relaxation, letting go—and awareness. I've come to understand how much strength, health, and inner peace emanate from trees.
The forest heals – in a completely natural way. Research shows that it strengthens our immune system, reduces stress levels, and activates our defenses. The Japanese physician Qing Li was able to demonstrate that after a day in the forest, the number of so-called killer cells in the blood increases by about 40 percent – and this effect lasts for days. Clear proof that nature not only calms us but also protects us.
When I go mushroom picking with my family in the fall or sit around the campfire in the evening, I feel like I did back then, only with a deeper understanding of what this space offers us. And I also notice how drawn I am to spend more time in the forest. Unfortunately, our region is only sparsely blessed with forests, with only around 5% being wooded. The average across Germany is around 30% – a significant difference that you can certainly feel, especially if you travel a lot in Germany like I do.
Why we act
At OCS, we move goods, commodities, and materials every day. So, we're constantly on the move for and with our customers' goods. And that's exactly what got me thinking:
If we are doing so much, why not also do something for what sustains us all – our forests?
Yet forests are so much more than just beautiful to look at. They are vital: They filter CO₂ from the air, store water, provide habitat for animals, and protect us humans from heat, noise, and erosion. Forests cool our environment, provide shade, and give us peace – they are the natural heart of our planet. And they give us that special moment of silence that can only be found in the forest among the trees.
This is how our idea of actively giving back was born:
We plant trees.
Not symbolically, but in a very concrete way – here, in our region.
Our tree planting campaign in Weyhe near Bremen
On November 15, we will once again plant trees together in Weyhe . Each tree represents a true connection between business and nature.
For every new customer, we plant one tree per FTL transport to make a direct, sustainable contribution. And for our long-standing customers, we plant additional trees as a token of our appreciation and partnership.
All participants receive a certificate documenting that their support is helping to create a new forest – right on our doorstep.
👉 If you would like to be part of this, sign up now and plant the future with us.
This way, every order becomes a piece of the future – green, vibrant and real.
Putting down roots for tomorrow
When I think of my childhood, I see the boy who built camps in the woods. Today I'm an entrepreneur, but the same thought remains in my heart: We all need places that ground us.
With this tree-planting campaign, we don't just want to contribute to CO₂ reduction, but also to send a message. A message that economic success and ecological responsibility are not mutually exclusive. That, as a logistics company, we take responsibility for what unites us: movement, growth, and life.
Perhaps the trees we plant on November 15th will one day grow as tall and strong as the forests of my childhood. Perhaps children will play there, have adventures, and laugh. And perhaps one of them will later say, "This is where it all began for me."
That would be the most beautiful result of our work – if responsibility turns into enthusiasm again.
Become part of our green mission now – plant a tree with every shipment!
