Sustainability & Logistics: "From the forest of my childhood to today's green responsibility"
Walking through a forest today has a profoundly calming effect on me. The smell of damp moss, the crackling of twigs underfoot, the interplay of light and shadow – all of it reminds me of my childhood. Back then, the forest was my adventure playground.
I was fortunate enough to spend my youth both in front of screens and among tree trunks. Of course, like many children of my generation, I loved watching television. Series, films, adventure worlds – those were among my greatest joys back then. But the real adventures, I found outdoors. In the small patches of woods around our village, where we built camps, constructed huts, and sometimes lost ourselves in nature all day long.
The real forest – in Poland
I experienced a truly authentic forest – with endless rows of trees, dense undergrowth, and the feeling of being alone with nature – later. 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 stretch on forever.
We were there often, in summer and winter, and each time it was like another world. As a child, I was fascinated by the fact that wild animals actually lived there. Moose, 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 captivated and shaped me.
Of course, back then I wasn't a conservationist in the way I realize I am today. I was simply fascinated by the trees and the atmosphere the forest created. We used to drive through the woods on motorcycles and in old cars that were no longer roadworthy, but they were perfectly adequate for the adventures we had in the forest. Looking back, it definitely wasn't the most environmentally conscious thing to do. Nevertheless, it was a feeling of pure freedom, and I still have precious memories associated with it.
From adventure to mindfulness
Today I see the forest with different eyes, with a deeper understanding of what it truly represents. It's no longer just a playground for me, but a place of relaxation, of letting go – and of 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, lowers stress levels, and activates our defenses. 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 afterward. Clear proof that nature not only soothes us but also protects us.
When I go mushroom picking with my family in autumn or sit around a campfire in the evening, I feel like I did back then, only with a deeper understanding of what this space gives us. And I also notice how drawn I am to spending more time in the forest. Unfortunately, our region is only sparsely blessed with forests, as only about 5% of it is wooded. The average across Germany is around 30% – a significant difference that you definitely notice, especially if you travel a lot in Germany, like I do.
Why we are acting
At OCS, we move goods, merchandise, and materials every day. We are constantly on the move for and with our customers' goods. And that's precisely what eventually got me thinking:
If we can achieve so much, why not also achieve something for what sustains us all – our forest?
Forests are so much more than just beautiful to look at. They are vital: they filter CO₂ from the air, store water, provide habitats for animals, and protect us from heat, noise, and erosion. Forests cool our surroundings, provide shade, and offer us peace – they are the natural heart of our Earth. And they give us that special moment of stillness that can only be found in the forest, among the trees.
That's how our idea to actively give something back came about:
We plant trees.
Not symbolically, but very concretely – here, in our region.
Our tree planting campaign in Weyhe near Bremen
On November 15th, we will once again plant trees together in Weyhe . Each tree represents a genuine connection between business and nature.
For every new customer, we plant a tree per FTL shipment to make a direct, sustainable contribution. And for our long-standing customers, we plant additional trees – as a sign of our appreciation and partnership.
All participants receive a certificate documenting that with their support a new piece of forest is being created – right on our doorstep.
👉 If you would like to participate, register for the campaign now and plant the future with us.
This way, every order becomes a piece of the future – green, vibrant and authentic.
Putting down roots for tomorrow
When I think of my childhood, I see the boy building 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 not only want to contribute to CO₂ reduction, but also send a message. A message that economic success and ecological responsibility are not mutually exclusive. That we, as a logistics company, take responsibility for what unites us: movement, growth, 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, laugh. And perhaps one of them will later say: "This is where it all began for me."
That would be the most wonderful result of our work – when responsibility turns back into enthusiasm.
Become part of our green mission now – plant a tree with every shipment!
