As Earth Day rolls around once again, we at DMCL are taking the opportunity to be mindful of our planet and reflect on our journey towards sustainability. Building off last year’s commitments, we’ve made strides in our quest to become net-zero, focusing on practical, impactful actions that reduce our carbon footprint. This year, we’re proud to report a decrease in our carbon emissions (CO2e) and share the steps we’ve taken over the past year to forge a greener future.
Our Progress: A Snapshot of CO2e Reduction
This past year, we’ve worked diligently to assess and reduce our carbon footprint. We’re proud to report that our current carbon emissions have notably decreased from 1,120 tonnes in 2022 to 969 tonnes in 2023, despite our growing headcount. This achievement marks a significant step towards our goal, highlighting our commitment to not just offset but actively reduce our environmental impact.
Key Actions Towards Sustainability
In our journey towards sustainability, we’ve focused on initiatives that have both immediate and long-term environmental benefits. Two significant actions taken in the past year include:
Print Reduction Strategy: Recognizing the substantial environmental impact of paper consumption, we launched a print reduction strategy aimed at significantly lowering our paper use. A pivotal part of this initiative was encouraging our team to voluntarily give up their desktop printers and only use shared printers when absolutely necessary. This move not only reduces paper waste but also minimizes energy consumption and the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and disposing of printing equipment.
Electronics Recycling: Technology evolves at a rapid pace, leading to the frequent need to update our equipment. As part of our Workstation Hardware Refresh program, we ensure that outdated hardware doesn’t end up in landfills. Instead, we collaborate with the Electronic Recycling Association to ensure these devices are either responsibly reused or recycled.
Revamped Recycling Program in Vancouver: We acknowledged that clarity and convenience are key to effective recycling. Thus, we revamped our Vancouver office’s recycling program, making it more straightforward and user-friendly. By clearly labeling recycling bins and educating our team on what can and cannot be recycled, we’ve made it easier for everyone to contribute to waste reduction, ensuring a higher rate of recycling compliance.
Lessons Learned and the Path Forward
Reflecting on the past year, we’ve learned that every action, no matter how small it seems, contributes to our larger goal of sustainability. Our initiatives have not only helped reduce our carbon footprint but have also fostered a culture of environmental consciousness within DMCL.
As we move forward, we remain committed to identifying and implementing innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact. We believe that by sharing our journey, we can inspire and encourage other organizations to take meaningful steps towards sustainability.
In conclusion, DMCL’s journey towards becoming net-zero is ongoing. Our efforts over the past year demonstrate our dedication to environmental stewardship, and we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. This Earth Day, let’s renew our commitment to a sustainable future, for ourselves and for generations to come.
Together, we can make a difference.
