Companies Are Investing In More Than Earth Day Events

April 22nd is Earth Day, and many of the professionals I’ve interviewed for my upcoming book on Sustainability Teams have mentioned how this “holiday” influenced and inspired their company’s eco-strategy.

I’ve had the opportunity to talk to leaders in companies such as Alaska Airlines, Nutiva, Genentech, New Resource Bank, and Interface and look forward to sharing all the information with you. It’s been an eye-opening experience to learn about the programs and initiatives that work within companies, in addition to the strategies that don’t work well.

About 10 years ago, companies created Earth Day events to bring awareness to things such as their recycling efforts, or this was the day where they encouraged more people to bike to work. These are fantastic efforts, but many realized that these initiatives were just not enough.

I’m happy to say that these companies have evolved in a big way. For some, their Sustainability Teams have a major influence in how the overall business operates. For others, the team contributes to a culture that is more connected and more attractive to top talent within their industries. Since many of these companies have a big influence on what we buy, how we eat, and where our money is invested, this is a step in the right direction.

Bringing awareness to our overall impact on Earth Day is important. Many individuals and conscious businesses are making huge strides with their sustainability practices. Please take a moment this weekend to reflect on the positive contribution your business has (or could make) on the planet.

Here’s a blog post sharing a bit about the history of Earth Day – which is tomorrow!