Nicole Rycroft is one of a growing crew of people who work tirelessly at changing how we affect the Earth. Her focus is on protecting ancient and indigenous trees. By collaborating with business partners in the fashion and publishing industries she is transforming supply chains to prevent these trees from becoming wood pulp. "I have always cared deeply about our natural world and our forest ecosystems in particular," Rycroft says. Forests produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and are fundamental in the fight against climate change. Yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate. Every year, 150-million trees disappear into viscose for clothing, 2.3-billion trees disappear into packing every year. "These are big footprints on forest ecosystems," she says. "There is no reason for us to be using 800-or 1,000-year-old trees to be making novels, pizza boxes and clothing." Viscose and other cellulosic fibres such as lyocell and modal are the third most commonly used ...

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.