Posted September 17th, 2013
By Kris Powers
At Ed4Career we hope to set a standard for sustainable education practices. In addition to maintaining environmentally responsible business practices, we promote balanced and healthy living for our staff.
We partner with others who care
By partnering with companies dedicated to maintaining carbon neutral operations, we help reduce our impact on the environment as well as preserve natural resources.
For example, our server company Pair.com has measured, reduced, and offset its company-wide carbon footprint. As of August 1, 2007, all of Pair Networks' operations, including datacenters, support operations, administrative facilities, and employee commutes & business travel are 100% Carbon Neutral.
What exactly does “carbon neutral” mean? It means that Pair.com conducted a greenhouse gas inventory to better understand their carbon footprint. This research helped them decide how to reduce their impact on the environment. Plus, Pair Networks is powered by 100% renewable energy; they offset carbon emissions by purchasing verified emission reductions (VERs) and renewable energy credits (RECs) form Renewable Choice Energy.
We offer eTextbook options
We understand that all students may not want to use an eTextbook, but whenever possible we encourage students to opt for the paperless book or Kindle. As more and more books are moving to e-versions we are adopting them as an alternative for our students.
According to the website www.ehow.com, the average tree can produce 35 textbooks. Net for every 35 eTextbooks we utilize in our courses versus textbooks; we are essentially saving one tree. And that’s something to feel good about!
We encourage company-wide recycling
We recycle materials such as aluminum cans, glass, batteries, paper, and plastic. We also encourage all of our staff to recycle as well. We reuse and repurpose equipment for as long as we reasonably can. Once a piece of equipment has reached the end of its useful life, we donate parts or entire systems to various organizations.
According to the EPA, recycling:
· Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills
· Conserves natural resources
· Prevents pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
· Saves energy
· Sustains the environment for future generations
· Helps create jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the US.
We work from home
All of our staff members work from home, reducing emissions in the environment and the stress of commuting to and from work.
According to the Global Workplace Analytics website, telecommuting slows global warming by decreasing:
· Gas consumption
· Carbon emissions
· Roadway repairs
· Traffic jams
· Office energy
· Office construction
· Business travel
· Paper usage
Personal benefits of telecommuting include reducing the:
· Time wasted in the car, and
· Emotional stress of traffic.
By working to embrace and apply green practices in our organization, we reduce unnecessary waste and promote a healthier work environment. We recognize that everyone can make a difference and those of us at Ed4Career want to do our part!
Resources:
How many Trees Does it Take to Make a Textbook? http://www.ehow.com/facts_7210331_many-trees-make-textbook_.html
Global Workplace Analytics http://www.globalworkplaceanalytics.com/
Pair Networks http://www.pair.com/
Environmental Protection Agency http://www2.epa.gov/recycle/
