The trees were donated by the Woodland Trust as part of the Queen's Green Canopy initiative in honour of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.
On Friday (14 January), 100 pupils from Holly Grove Primary school and Year 10 and 11 students from Chase Terrace Academy joined the business to help it plant a selection of more mature trees in the new woodland area. The land has been donated by Burntwood Town Council and Lichfield District Council.
Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, the Rt Hon Earl of Shrewsbury, officiated at the event and planted a signature Holm Oak.
In total, 439 trees were planted for the benefit of the local community and in commemoration of HRH Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee.
Councillor Susan Woodward, leader of Burntwood Town Council, said: "This is a great example of partnership working between a significant local business, local schools, community organisations, Lichfield District Council and the Town Council.
“We have been more than happy to make the links between the various partners and facilitate this exciting project which will enhance the local environment for many years to come and help address climate change issues in our town. For me, the project ticks all of the boxes and I’m delighted that it's now starting to happen.”
Mercian Labels sales and marketing director Hugo Gell added: “Social responsibility, engaging with the local community and sustainability are becoming increasingly important in the world of business these days, and we are already working with customers who are looking for more sustainable products, whether it be the materials used to make them, or where they are sourced.
“We hope that our future talent will be increasingly found from within the local community, and from the young people, still in education, who planted trees on the day.
“Forward-thinking businesses also need to take some responsibility too for their local surroundings, and we hope that by planting this area of Community Woodland we will be providing a diverse and interesting area for education as well as recreation.
“It is an especially happy coincidence that this event coincides with the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative in honour of her Platinum Jubilee.
“The team here at Mercian Labels have shown incredible passion for this project, of which we are very proud, supporting our commitment to our goals and values, as well as the wider community.”
Mercian Labels employs 68 people and serves around 9,000 business customers worldwide.
Last summer the company launched a new ‘closed-loop’ label liner recycling service while a year ago it bought a sector of business from barcode label specialist Computype Europe, as part of its acquisition-fuelled growth strategy.
