Ashlynn Callery
Human Resources Manager
Freedom Energy
In today’s corporate landscape, companies are increasingly recognizing the significance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable practices. As part of our ongoing commitment at Freedom Energy, our philanthropic and sustainability committees joined forces and organized the Earth Day All Year Long event to encourage employee involvement in initiatives that promote environmental awareness and sustainability.
By engaging our employees in fun activities like Earth Day Bingo and providing exciting sustainability-focused prizes, we aimed to inspire and empower our team members to actively contribute to a greener future. Additionally, we continued these events throughout the year, implementing a work-from-home week to reduce our carbon footprint, and encouraged celebrating Arbor Day, Gardening Season, World Environment Day, and World Hiking Day, while providing ample opportunities for our employees to participate in philanthropic and volunteer opportunities.
At Freedom, we kickstarted the Earth Day All Year Long event with Earth Day Bingo, a game that combined enjoyment and education while promoting sustainable practices. Our custom bingo cards featured squares with a variety of sustainability-themed challenges, such as: Use a reusable water bottle for a week; Walk, bike, or carpool to a destination; or Buy locally grown produce. This interactive activity not only educated our team members on easy ways to make sustainable choices but also encouraged them to incorporate these eco-friendly practices into their daily lives.
Earth Day Bingo: An Engaging and Educational Game
Work-From-Home Week: Reducing our Carbon Footprint
As part of our commitment to sustainability, Freedom Energy implemented a dedicated work-from-home (WFH) week during our Earth Day All Year Long event. Recognizing the environmental impact of daily commuting, we conducted calculations to estimate the emissions reduction achieved through this initiative. By transitioning to a hybrid model after returning from the pandemic and implementing the WFH week, we have reduced our annual commuting emissions from 76,939.94 CO2e to 45,276.17 CO2e. This initiative reinforces our commitment to sustainability and underscores the significance of implementing practices that reduce our carbon footprint. The WFH week serves as a prime example of how small changes in our work arrangements can lead to substantial environmental benefits, aligning with our ongoing efforts to foster a greener and more sustainable future.
Continuing Events and Celebrations
At Freedom Energy, we understand that a lasting commitment to sustainability extends beyond a single event. Therefore, we have decided to continue these initiatives throughout the year. To celebrate Arbor Day and encourage our employees to plant trees and nurture green spaces, all employees were given a Douglas Fir tree starter kit to support the initiative. This helped lead the team to a strong start to the Gardening Season, providing an opportunity for our team members to cultivate their own sustainable gardens at home or participate in community gardening projects starting with one small tree. On World Environment Day, we organized activities to emphasize the importance of environmental conservation. Lastly, World Hiking Day serves as a reminder to reconnect with nature and enjoy the benefits of outdoor activities while fostering a deeper appreciation for our natural surroundings. Our team plans to do this together later in the fall during two company-wide family-friendly hiking excursions allowing the time to appreciate nature and strengthen team dynamics and comradery.
Philanthropic Initiatives and Volunteer Opportunities
At Freedom Energy, we believe in giving back to our communities and making a positive impact. In addition to celebrating recognized holidays, the company provides each employee with two company paid ‘giving-back’ days, providing ample opportunity to contribute to philanthropic initiatives and engage in volunteer activities. These initiatives can range from participating in environmental cleanup efforts to supporting local sustainability-focused organizations through donations or volunteering. By fostering a culture of corporate social responsibility, we empower our employees to actively participate in making a difference in the world.
Benefits of Employee Involvement in Freedom’s Earth Day All Year Long Event
Heightened Awareness: Through their active participation in the Earth Day All Year Long initiatives, Freedom Energy’s employees gained a deeper understanding of environmental challenges and learned practical ways to contribute to sustainability efforts. This enhanced awareness extended beyond the workplace, positively impacting their personal lives and local communities.
Strengthened Team Dynamics: Engaging our employees in activities focused on environmental sustainability fostered a sense of camaraderie and teamwork at Freedom. Collaborative efforts to complete the Earth Day Bingo challenges or participate in group activities strengthen relationships among team members, ultimately enhancing productivity and job satisfaction.
Tangible Environmental Impact: The collective efforts of our employees participating in the Earth Day All Year Long event has had a tangible impact on the environment. By adopting sustainable practices at work and home, such as waste reduction, energy conservation, and the use of eco-friendly transportation options, our employees continue to contribute to a greener future.
Embracing Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future
Freedom’s Earth Day All Year Long event serves as a catalyst to foster employee social responsibility and promote sustainable practices. Through engaging activities like Earth Day Bingo and the distribution of sustainable prizes, we inspire our employees to adopt eco-friendly habits. By continuing these events throughout the year, celebrating special occasions like Arbor Day, Gardening Season, World Environment Day, and World Hiking Day, we reinforce our commitment to sustainability. Additionally, by providing opportunities for our employees to contribute to philanthropic initiatives and participate in volunteer activities, we empower them to make a positive impact on the environment and their communities.
Together, we can create a greener and more sustainable future.
Published: June 20, 2023
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