As we observe Earth Day this week, we should acknowledge the positive changes helping us care for the world around us. Alternative energy sources are rising, sales of electric cars are growing, and sustainability has become a key metric for companies everywhere, including Intertek, with its goal of achieving a zero-carbon footprint by 2050.

Consumers are becoming more environmentally aware at home as well. According to an IBM survey of 1600 global consumers, more than half (51%) of respondents cite environmental sustainability as more important today than 12 months ago. Nearly seven-in-ten Americans (69%) favor the U.S. taking steps to become carbon neutral by 2050,

From both the consumer and business level, we continue to learn from our mistakes and discover new ways to create a sustainable workplace. That’s why Intertek Alchemy developed a course library that teaches employees how to care for the environment at work and at home.   

This year’s theme for Earth Day is “Invest in Our Planet,” focusing on engaging governments, institutions, businesses, and the more than 1 billion citizens who participate annually in Earth Day to be stewards of the global environment.

Our library of training courses teaches manufacturing employees how to prevent hazardous waste and reduce air, water, and noise pollution. We train on the importance of energy conservation, environmental responsibility, and the basics of recycling.

Here’s a snapshot of some of those courses.

• Energy and Water Conservation – to teach employees the basics of conserving energy and water at work. This course helps employees understand how to save energy and money through programmable thermostats to adjust temperatures during non-business hours and small tips like turning off devices and equipment when not in use – lessons that can also be applied at home. The money manufacturers save through conservation can be reinvested in their workforce. 

• Everyday Sustainability Techniques – to offer tips for promoting environmental responsibility at home through the reuse of items, energy and water conservation, vehicle maintenance, and upkeep of outdoor areas. Environmental responsibility should be kept top of mind, whether at work or home.

• Hazardous Waste Management – to identify and safely handle common types of hazardous waste to avoid damage to themselves, their co-workers, and the environment. This includes how to dispose of batteries, chemicals, and products that contain mercury and the importance of notifying managers when they see something is wrong.

• Air, Water, and Noise Pollution to control wastewater, air emissions, nuisance orders, and excessive noise at work and home. This course introduces measures to reduce pollution for a cleaner workplace and home.

• Recycling Basics – to prevent the waste of potentially useful materials and reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials. This course introduces the importance of a company recycling program and how to promote recycling habits.

• Process Waste Prevention – for tips on promoting environmental responsibility at home through the reuse of items, energy and water conservation, vehicle maintenance, and upkeep of outdoor areas. It also provides an at-home perspective on reducing food waste.

• Spill Prevention – to help prevent spills of hazardous substances like oils and oil-based products in the workplace. Employees can learn about the dangers of materials and understand the importance of reporting leaks, spills, and their causes.   

These lessons become more relatable with each new story of climate-related weather disasters, oil spills, train derailments, or company accidents. Employees and companies can pursue shared sustainability goals and reduce their carbon footprint. Both sides can grow and learn by applying these courses to work and home environments.