This year, NBCU's Earth Week was celebrated around the world, with activities in several locations, including London, Sweden, and Toronto. In the UK, hundreds of London-based employees got involved in Earth Week by recycling books, CDs, DVDs, and clothes at three Green Drop & Swap events. Colleagues swapped their unwanted personal items and many departments donated merchandise such as ET toys and Barbie bracelets. Surplus items were donated to local charities, including the local YMCA store, which funds youth workers who mentor under-privileged youths in the London area, and The Passage centre for the homeless, where London employees regularly volunteer their time. Facilities were also provided for employees to recycle old mobile phones, blackberries, and batteries.
A smaller group of employees spent Earth Day volunteering at the London Wetlands & Wildfowl Trust where they helped to beautify the bird sanctuary and clean-up the grounds.
Employees in London volunteering at the London Wetlands & Wildfowl Trust.
A smaller group of employees spent Earth Day volunteering at the London Wetlands & Wildfowl Trust where they helped to beautify the bird sanctuary and clean-up the grounds.
Employees in London volunteering at the London Wetlands & Wildfowl Trust.
"It was a wonderful opportunity to meet new colleagues and to lend a helping hand to the amazing London Wetlands Centre," said Lee Mansfield, International TV Distribution . "As usual, we are already looking forward to our next day at WWT!"
Employees in London at the Green Drop & Swap.
Also, employees who switched off their PCs and/or monitors before they left the office on Earth Day received a green treat on Friday morning. Volunteer green elves left Fairtrade chocolates on desks and employees were reminded that always powering down overnight can reduce your carbon footprint by 20 to 37%
Finally, employees began signing up for the 3 Rivers clean-up on June 8. The project aims to remove Himalayan Balsam (an invasive plant species) from an area in London where three rivers connect. Removing this plant will encourage more natural vegetation to return. The volunteers will also do litter clearance work alongside the vegetation removal. There are still 20 spaces available - to sign up visit www.gevolunteers.com.
In Sweden, employees participated in several Earth Week activities, including a "Leave Your Car at Home Breakfast" in which most people left their cars at home and walked or took public transport to work. Employees also participated in a lunch time walk and took part in a viewing of An Inconvenient Truth followed by a discussion on its relevance several years later. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, green packs were given to employees with recyclable grocery bags, fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate, and a Green Zone cap.
Employees in Sweden participating in an Earth Day lunch walk.
In Toronto, employees are celebrating by participating in an office clean up on April 23. Volunteers will walk around the building grounds cleaning up trash that has accumulated during the winter months.
International's commitment to green extends beyond Earth Week. On March 27, employees in Australia participated in Earth Hour. Universal Pictures partnered with Earth Hour to screen the film HOME to crowds of people at Federation Square in Melbourne. The film highlighted the need for all of us to reduce our carbon footprint and also gave people the change to have fun before the city lights were switched off.
Employees in London at the Green Drop & Swap.
Also, employees who switched off their PCs and/or monitors before they left the office on Earth Day received a green treat on Friday morning. Volunteer green elves left Fairtrade chocolates on desks and employees were reminded that always powering down overnight can reduce your carbon footprint by 20 to 37%
Finally, employees began signing up for the 3 Rivers clean-up on June 8. The project aims to remove Himalayan Balsam (an invasive plant species) from an area in London where three rivers connect. Removing this plant will encourage more natural vegetation to return. The volunteers will also do litter clearance work alongside the vegetation removal. There are still 20 spaces available - to sign up visit www.gevolunteers.com.
In Sweden, employees participated in several Earth Week activities, including a "Leave Your Car at Home Breakfast" in which most people left their cars at home and walked or took public transport to work. Employees also participated in a lunch time walk and took part in a viewing of An Inconvenient Truth followed by a discussion on its relevance several years later. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, green packs were given to employees with recyclable grocery bags, fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate, and a Green Zone cap.
Employees in Sweden participating in an Earth Day lunch walk.
In Toronto, employees are celebrating by participating in an office clean up on April 23. Volunteers will walk around the building grounds cleaning up trash that has accumulated during the winter months.
International's commitment to green extends beyond Earth Week. On March 27, employees in Australia participated in Earth Hour. Universal Pictures partnered with Earth Hour to screen the film HOME to crowds of people at Federation Square in Melbourne. The film highlighted the need for all of us to reduce our carbon footprint and also gave people the change to have fun before the city lights were switched off.
