Environmental Business Review: Specials Magazine

In the world of forest and watershed management, where traditions run deep, innovation is often met with skepticism. Mike Siaperas, founder and CEO of 106 Reforestation knows this resistance firsthand. When Siaperas started the company, he aimed to solve a problem he had seen too often: existing techniques, though well-established, were failing to address the scale and urgency of modern environmental challenges to high elevation forests in the U.S. “The way we’ve been doing things just isn’t fast enough,” Siaperas explains. “We need to treat more acres, with fewer resources, and we need to do it now.” This belief became the backbone of 106 Reforestation’s approach—a commitment to pace, scale, and precision in restoring forests and watersheds. Over time, that commitment has evolved into a company that is redefining what’s possible in this critical field. Building a New Approach From the beginning, Siaperas’s approach was different. Rather than following the standard playbook (which usually involves fire at some point in the process), he asked a bold question: How can we achieve better results using fewer tools and less manpower? His answer lay in technology. The company developed patented software and specialized equipment that allows for swift hypertargeted treatments, ensuring every action taken on the ground serves a clear purpose. This technology is a mechanical process using specialized machines that duplicate the mosaic patterns of forest and meadow that are created with natural fire, with a recovery time that has shown to be much faster. Additionally, it enables managers to track operations in real time, whether they’re in the middle of a forest or sitting in an office miles away. It’s a level of precision and transparency that’s rare in this field. “We can show exactly what’s happening as it happens,” Siaperas says. “That’s a game-changer.” The results speak for themselves. By thinning forests strategically and replacing aging, less efficient trees with younger, more productive ones, 106 Reforestation has demonstrated they can dramatically improve water availability, reduce wildfire risk; plus sequester atmospheric carbon and methane instead of accelerating it. The company’s methods replicate the natural benefits of a forest fire—clearing out dead wood and promoting new growth—without the using fire. This delicate balance between innovation and respect for nature is a hallmark of its work.

The moment a consumer picks up a product, its packaging tells a story even before a single word is read or a seal is broken. More than just a protective shell, it shapes perceptions, influences purchasing decisions, and signals a company’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Morris Packaging, an MBE manufacturer emphasizes that sustainable packaging shouldn’t be an afterthought. Rather, — when done right — it will serve as a powerful differentiator that effortlessly elevates a product’s appeal and reinforces its value. Rooted in this understanding, Morris Packaging combines custom engineering, eco-friendly materials and supply chain optimization to create efficient, high-performance packaging that seamlessly integrates into existing production processes. “We help businesses switch to sustainable packaging without sacrificing production speed,” says Brian Steinwagner, Executive Vice President. “We have invested time and engineering expertise to overcome this by developing sustainable packaging that maintains high production speeds, assuring that clients do not experience operational slowdowns.” A key differentiator of their packaging is the use of up to 45 percent recycled content, maintaining strength while reducing reliance on raw materials. By incorporating post-consumer and post industrial recycled materials, the solution remains cost-efficient, with little to no increase in cost at this inclusion rate. The company offers 100 percent recycle-ready packaging options, enabling companies to meet sustainability goals while maintaining the same level of durability and functionality. It also provides tailored recommendations on materials, recyclability and the best options for their specific operational requirements. The company recognizes that material selection alone does not define sustainability and takes a comprehensive approach to ensure that all packaging solutions align with long-term waste reduction strategies. It begins with a detailed pre-audit of the client’s production environment, assessing machinery specifications, filling conditions and compatibility with existing workflows..