Green expo promotes environmental wellbeing for employees and local business community

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We recently outlined how Xero, as a global business, would build on established efforts to grow our positive contributions to environmental sustainability. As part of this, we are also taking an inside-out approach to ensure our 2,500+ employees globally have the knowledge and support to make environmentally responsible decisions in their day-to-day lives.

One of the pillars of our wellbeing programme is the environment and in particular ‘Healthy Planet’ which challenges, encourages and supports employees to reduce their impact on the environment. On Friday we hosted a Green Expo with around 35 providers across our Auckland and Wellington offices who provided information, education, services and products in this space. Employees were able to get more information about public transport options, what they can and can’t recycle and what everyday ‘green’ products they can start using. In Auckland, we also invited the general public to attend through the Parnell Business Association.

We spoke to some of the businesses sharing their products and services to understand what the environment and in particular environmental sustainability at the individual level, means to them.

Clean Fresh Air

Clean Fresh Air offers 100% natural products that stop the growth of mould and bacteria indoors, as well as handmade beeswax wraps. Managing Director, Deborah Plank, said it’s important to take steps, however small, to improve our impact on the environment.

“To me, environmental sustainability means using products that are 100% natural, chemical-free and can be recycled in a sustainable way.”

My Eco Box

My Eco Box is a zero waste oral care subscription box, designed to help Kiwis cut back on waste and embrace high-quality eco-friendly products. Founder Petr Morgan said we should be doing everything possible to look after the planet.

“We need to eliminate as many barriers as possible to using eco-friendly products. Swapping out plastic for bamboo and other eco-friendly materials for products we use every day is an easy way to make a big difference.”

EcoMatters Trust

Everyone is at a different stage of their sustainability journey, and EcoMatters Trust helps Kiwis at every level make a difference.

EcoMatters Trust’s Tina Ivory said key to their mission is to encourage Kiwis to reduce plastic use, and reduce what goes into landfill.

“Start thinking about what changes you can make in your everyday life: eliminating plastic bags, choosing products that are good for the environment – metal lunch boxes, environmentally-friendly cleaning products, bamboo pegs. There are so many other alternatives to plastic,” she said.

Focusing on ensuring we arm our employees with resources to help them make responsible choices, we have also initiated new starter packs that we send to Xero employees before they officially start with us. This includes a ‘swag bag’ with a reusable, recyclable coffee keep cup and a reusable, recyclable ‘tote’ shopping bag.

Xero also promotes environmental wellbeing at work by providing end-of-trip facilities, secure bike parking, showers and well-equipped changing rooms to better support alternative modes of transport. Charging points for electric vehicles are also available in our newer Green Star rated buildings to make it easier for those choosing electric vehicles.

It’s little things like this that support and encourage positive behaviour change in the choices we all make every day.

Read more about Xero’s commitment to our communities and the environment at xero.com/socialimpact.

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