Internet Reader: internal sustainability

(Image on right from flickr.com)
While our previous Internet Reader about sustainability was concerned with PR we didn't address one important PR audience every company shares: its own employees. This audience has to be considered with as much attention as more obvious external ones such as investors and consumers: employee good will is crucial to the success of a company. Their motivation to deliver and their loyalty are dependent on the company's image and reputation, which builds pride and commitment. And many companies are finding that sustainability efforts, while often costly to implement, bring savings in the long run. Below are examples of companies who have committed to employee participation in sustainability efforts.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. recently released its first sustainability report, a 5 year plan which focuses on the areas of environmental sustainability, health and wellness, philanthropy, workplace environment and ethical sourcing. They have detailed goals for each of these, but their goals for environmental sustainability include:
1) Conserve more than 60 million lbs. of PET plastic through package reengineering and increased use of post-consumer recycled material.
2) Improve energy efficiency in manufacturing operations by 10% per gallon of finished product.
3) Increase product shipments per gallon of fuel used by 20%.
4) Replace 60,000 vending machines and coolers with Energy Star-rated equipment that is approximately 30% more energy efficient.
5) Reduce water usage and wastewater discharge ratio in manufacturing operations by 10% per gallon of finished product.
6) Recycle 80% of solid waste in manufacturing.
These goals were created to reflect the best interests of the people who make, sell, buy, and invest in the company. They expect to improve company efficiency and employee commitment.
http://www.packagingdigest.com/article/509303-Dr_Pepper_Snapple_Group_releases_first_sustainability_report.php

In an effort to save money and become more environmentally friendly, Verizon has been experimenting with alternative-fuel vehicles and other methods of cutting costs and emissions.  Most of its vehicles have been replaced with Ford E-250 vans.  These vans are able to run on natural gas (CNG), which is cheaper and cleaner than gasoline or diesel fuel.  In addition to these new vans, Verizon has cut down on its CO2 emissions by cutting engine idle time. Since 2008, drivers of Verizon vehicles have conserved more than 2.7 million gallons of fuel, the equivalent amount of greenhouse gases emitted by about 4,580 vehicles annually. Every single Verizon driver has become aware of the contribution the company is making to sustainability through their efforts.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verizon-to-cut-co2-emissions-by-converting-501-new-ford-e-series-vans-to-run-on-natural-gas-96130124.html
http://www.statesman.com/business/fleet-operators-pushing-toward-green-744155.html?page=2

Wal-Mart switched over to recycled cardboard for all of its boxing needs, and the store’s shelves are now stocked with many eco-friendly items such as photo frames made from recycled materials.  While conveying to employees its commitment to the environment, Walmart is finding the sustainable methods cost-effective.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/business/energy-environment/12sustain.html?_r=1

Once Wal-Mart realized that reducing carbon would help save the planet, as well as cut costs, the stores themselves and their employees took measures to save on energy and materials to dramatic results.  The next step for Wal-Mart was to find a way to reduce energy use of its suppliers, and so Wal-Mart came up with these three goals:
1)   100% renewable energy
2)   Zero waste
3)   Sustainable products for customers and practices for employees.
 Every Wal-Mart supplier recently received a 15-part questionnaire, asking for details on energy use and renewable practices. The company intends to use this information to issue a Sustainability Index for each of its products.  These won’t be completed for a year or two, but all over the globe, companies are racing to reduce their carbon footprints to get business from Wal-Mart.
http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news13565.html

Our previous Tribe Pictures Internet Reader about sustainability:
http://tribepictures.blogspot.com/2010/06/sustainability-and-pr-internet-reader.html

http://www.examiner.com/x-12791-Bay-Area-Green-Careers-Examiner~y2010m3d14-How-to-engage-employees-in-sustainability-initiatives