The scheme was launched by the fuel card provider and Forest Carbon, a leading developer of new carbon woodland projects, earlier this year to help fleet customers improve their green credentials.

Today, more than 20,000 Allstar customers are part of the scheme, with more and more businesses pledging their support every month.

Peter Bridgen, Allstar’s managing director, commented: “Carbon capturing is becoming increasingly important for our customer base and the fleet industry as a whole as a way to reduce the impact of fleet carbon emissions and help the environment.

“The fact that we already have over 20,000 customers using Ecopoint highlights the importance that UK businesses place on enhancing their green credentials.  In a short space of time, our customers have already helped plant over 670,000 trees, creating 1,077 acres of new UK woodland.  This equates to over 176,000 tonnes of carbon capturing underway since the scheme was launched, and also offers significant other social and environmental benefits to the UK.”

Allstar says the customer base for the scheme is extremely diverse, from local councils looking to act more sustainably, to engineering businesses running large vehicle fleets. 

To join Ecopoint, customers pay a contribution per card per month for 100% carbon capture. This, in turn, provides the means to plant woodlands that are quality assured by the UK Government’s Woodland Carbon Code, which certifies projects to ISO standards.”

Bridgen added: “Our aim over the next 12 months is to make Ecopoint the biggest and most successful carbon capturing scheme in the UK and we are encouraging more customers to take a look at the benefits this scheme offers.”

The certification and planting status of each woodland is publicly verified via the Markit Environmental Registry, allowing customers to keep track of their progress.

Plans are also in motion to start creating forests outside of the UK. From 1 January 2016, subscribers to the scheme will be contributing to woodland – 50% in the UK and 50% overseas.