Our Story

In 2020, Jim Mann, a record-breaking fell runner known for his passion for endurance and the outdoors, had a simple yet powerful idea.

After years of competing in and attending events, Jim began to notice a troubling trend: the vast amounts of waste generated by promotional merchandise, especially the ubiquitous event t-shirts. While the intention behind these freebies was always to celebrate participation, Jim realised that many of these shirts ended up discarded or forgotten, buried at the back of drawers and wardrobes.

It takes an astonishing amount of resources to produce just one cotton tee—roughly the same amount of water a person drinks in two and a half years and over 2kg of carbon emissions. All for an item of clothing that often goes unused.

Jim sought a solution. What if there was a way to replace wasteful, single-use merchandise with something far more meaningful? What if event participants could opt out of receiving a t-shirt and instead have a tree planted in their name, a living contribution to the environment? And so, Trees Not Tees was born.

Learn more

Plant Trees, Reduce Waste, Restore Nature

Join the movement

The impact of planting a tree is huge. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, reduce the effects of climate change, and provide habitats for countless species. One tree can make a real difference.

From the initial seed, the movement has grown, and more and more event organisers are seeing the value in offering this green alternative. Whether it's a corporate event, a race, or a festival, Trees Not Tees offers a sustainable way to engage participants without creating unnecessary waste. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees not only appreciating the chance to give back to the planet but also helping to spread the message that meaningful, lasting change can be achieved through conscious choices. Today, Trees Not Tees is making waves across the event industry, working with world-class events such as The London Marathon, providing a practical, impactful solution for reducing waste while promoting environmental responsibility. What started as a simple idea is now a growing global movements

Join the movement

Simple Sustainable Event Solutions

Trees Not Tees offers a variety of ways to integrate tree-planting into your event, whether it’s a marathon, conference, or any other gathering. You can add a simple tick box at sign up, you can offer a tree as a ‘freebie’ replacing low-quality merchandise with something meaningful. Plus, we’re integrated with several registration platforms like SI Entries, making it even more convenient for you to get started.

Join the movement