Three Barrington students are selling saplings to offset the amount of paper used in Barrington schools. 

Emma Pautz, Abigail Goblick, and Mia He are working with a non-profit organization called “Tree-Plenish” — their goal is to sell 143 tree saplings for residents to plant in their yards this year. 

The students said they have held sapling sales the past two years and have sold 857 saplings. They settled on the 143 number this year, as it would put them at the 1,000 saplings sold figure. That many saplings would offset approximately 10 million sheets of paper, which is equivalent to five years of paper-use in Barrington Public Schools, they said.

The students estimate that 1,000 saplings will replace nearly 1,200 tons of carbon. They said the average America produces 16 tons of carbon each year. 

The available saplings are Eastern Rosebud, Yellow Poplar, and Red Maple.

Emma, Abigail and Mia said this year will mark the end of their annual sapling sales. However, the non-profit organization they started, Barrington Environmental Establishment, will continue to lead environmental initiatives after they graduate. 

Barrington Environmental Establishment focuses on spreading awareness about climate change via electronic newsletters. It also hosts petitions, speaking events, clean-ups, and more.

The saplings are $5 each and can be purchased online at https://tpevents.org/school/4055

People can order them through April 18. The saplings will be available for pickup on May 18.