The program encourages everybody to make small changes in their behavior to reduce greenhouse gases, adding up to 1 million acts of green that will make a measurable impact on the environment. The objective of the One Million Acts of Green is to mobilize Canadians to collectively register one million acts of green by June 2009 and be a force for change around the world.
“This is a perfect fit for our company as we conduct our business in a way that supports the principles of sustainability,” said Pierre Blouin, chief executive officer of MTS (News - Alert) Allstream.
Some of the ways that the company has started to fight climate change includes offering only re-useable or biodegradable bags in its retail stores and through the e-billing initiative and fleet idling policy. They also have an active cell phone recycling program. In addition, they help customers do the same by providing solutions that reduce their own impacts on the environment, such as teleworking tools and videoconferencing.
MTS Allstream (News - Alert) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Manitoba Telecom Services, and is one of Canada’s leading national communication solutions providers. The company’s 6,000 employees will participate in the program as a community group.
It’s something they do a lot. The picture on the right shows some members of the five MTS Allstream teams that participated in the Heart & Stroke Big Bike in Toronto in June, raising a total of $22,557 for the cause – more than any other participating company.
Earlier, in November, another Canadian company, the BMO Financial Group accepted the challenge of the same environmental initiative.
MTS has a history of leading the way in environmental change. In 2002 and 2003, MTS was ranked amongst Canada’s most responsible companies, in the telecommunications sector, by the Corporate Knights on their list of the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada.
Other ongoing initiatives to provide education and support for employees include guidelines to ensure fuel-efficient driving habits on and off the job and an office paper recycling and shredding program.
MTS’ so-called “Workplace 2.0” telework program offers eligible employees the option of working from home. They are also offering upgraded bicycle facilities at several sites to promote cycling to work.
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Anita B (News - Alert). is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Anita's articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by
Michael Dinan
