Green Leaders: Winners of the 2013 Canada's Greenest Employers Competition Announced
TORONTO, April 22, 2013 /CNW/ - If working for or doing business with an organization that's committed to sustainability is important to you, today's announcement of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2013 will warm your heart. This morning's announcement recognizes 55 private and public-sector organizations and was made by the editors of the Canada's Top 100 Employers project, which manages the competition.
"It's clear that 'going green' isn't a fad for Canadian employers," says Richard Yerema, Managing Editor of Canada's Greenest Employers. "These organizations recognize that sustainability is more about changing mindsets than changing fashions, which can go in and out of style. It's not just about being 'good for business' anymore - the industry leaders of tomorrow are building sustainability into their cultures today."
Now entering its 7th year, the Canada's Greenest Employers competition recognizes the employers that lead the nation in incorporating environmental awareness into their organizational cultures. Employers are evaluated on four main criteria: (1) unique environmental initiatives and programs at each organization; (2) how successful they've been at reducing their organization's environmental footprint; (3) the degree to which their employees are involved in these programs and whether they contribute any specialized skills; and (4) the extent to which these initiatives have become linked to the organization's public identity, bringing new employees and clients to the organization.
"This year's competition uncovered environmental initiatives across a range of industries that bring employees and clients together in imaginative ways," says Julien Gagnier, Editor of Canada's Greenest Employers. "Organizations are discovering that these initiatives tap into a deep reservoir of creativity and goodwill among employees and customers alike."
Highlights from this year's winners include:
- Employees at Nature's Path Foods receive mandatory sustainability training after joining the company and oversee an employee-managed organic garden at the head office.
- Employees at Keilhauer developed new initiatives adopted by Canada's furniture industry to improve textile recycling, diverting thousands of pounds of excess fabric from landfills annually.
- Employees at Siemens Canada now work exclusively on sustainable technologies, including renewable initiatives that will create the energy products of tomorrow.
- Employees at BC Public Service have organized over 100 "Green Teams" and developed a remarkable website that makes ride-sharing easier for employees who commute.
- Employees at SAS Institute (Canada) Inc. use state-of-the-art water filters and reusable tableware to eliminate bottled water and disposable food containers from their head office.
"Being recognized as one of Canada's Greenest Employers has not only helped us retain employees," says Linda Woo, VP of Finance & Administration at Vancouver-based Rescan/ERM. "It has helped us to grow our company in Canada."
A key theme that runs through this year's list is that, regardless of size or industry, any employer can create a culture of sustainability. Join the online discussion today on Twitter at #greenemployers
More stories on this year's winners can be found in the editorial feature published today in The Globe and Mail. The full list of winners, including detailed reasons for selection, was published this morning at: http://www.CanadasTop100.com/green
SOURCE: Canada's Top 100 Employers
Karen Le, Vice-President
Mediacorp Canada Inc. 416-964-6069 x1460
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