Ecotrend Ecologics Ltd. Cuts Carbon Emissions Through Series of ‘Small’ Actions

Ecotrend Ecologics, an international distributor, has developed a business culture based on doing good for people and the environment. However, as the Vancouver-based company and its sense of social responsibility both grew, it became more difficult to track its environmental impact.

Ecotrend Ecologics has grown steadily from a one-person operation in 1986 to currently around 50 professionals.

BMO’s Climate Smart Program provided the company with an accountability tool to help it stay aligned over the long term with its sustainability goals to reach net zero.

“As the first in our industry to join the Climate Smart Program back in 2011, we hope to not only be pioneers in our work, but also in the way we progress our society through environmentalism and conservation,” said John Harrison, President and Founder of Ecotrend Ecologics.

Ecotrend Ecologics decided to implement clear and easy actions to reduce its emissions. As part of the company’s action plan, it:

Recycled shipping packaging Encouraged employees to use public transit and bike to work Set up an EV charging station, and as a result, the company had 4 staff members switch over to electric vehicles

Implemented a recycling program early in its net-zero journey, resulting in reduced garbage pickups and waste Used biodegradable popcorn packaging for shipping Switched to carbon-friendly delivery services.

By replacing common resources and activities with less emission-intensive substitutes, Ecotrend Ecologics used smaller actions to work toward larger goals.

Working through its list of action items took the company 12 years, and it is still trying to implement new measures every year.

Ecotrend Ecologics’ approach has yielded positive results. Among them, the company:

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  Reduced absolute emissions by 44% against its baseline year (2011) for scopes 1, 2, and 3

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  Achieved emissions intensity reductions (tCO2e/1K revenue) of 50%

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  Cut emissions reductions associated with shipments by 55%

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  Reduced emissions from utility usage by 20%

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  Lowered costs for reported activities compared to the baseline year by 15%.

In terms of its climate strategy, Ecotrend Ecologics found that it is helpful to look at the actions that will drive the most impact when trying to tackle significant problems. A few high-impact goals can be more manageable and effective than many low-impact goals.

The best advice the company can offer other businesses looking to reduce their emissions is to start small and do the things that are within their means.

Ecotrend Ecologics plans to expand their recycling program to include a paper usage audit to keep track of their paper consumption. It will also be implementing an “Internal Waste Training and Education” program with staff to encourage further waste reductions in and out of the office.