Distributors Take On Conservation Challenge
From putting computers “to sleep” at the end of the workday to setting up ‘green’ teams at the branch office, the 2010 Distributor Challenge brought out the best competitive spirit in participating firms.
Ninety-four branches competed in the 2010 challenge, which took place between September and November 2010. The 2010 edition introduced a few changes to encourage participation and to help distributor firms’ branches maximize their savings. First, the challenge was extended to two months to allow participants to realize the benefits of a concentrated conservation effort. We also introduced a specific theme, workplace conservation, with a focus on the small actions that employees can take to make a big difference.
Participating branches all vied for the same grand prize: up to $5,000 for a staff team-building event and/or something to spice up the staff lunch room, such as a flat screen TV, ping-pong table or comfy new couch. In order to be eligible for the grand prize draw, each team had to complete a minimum of five activities that enhanced employees’ conservation awareness. In the end, distributors’ various implemented activities were as practical, fun and creative as we’d hoped. For example, some firms posted conservation tips in the office and started a ‘green team’, while others switched the photocopier, fax machine and printer to “sleep” mode at the end of each workday.
The lucky winner of the grand prize was EECOL Electric of Prince George, whose green initiatives included replacing their Styrofoam cups with travel mugs and encouraging customers to do the same by ‘rewarding’ them with a chocolate treat. They also opted to wear scarves and mitts inside when cold instead of boosting the office’s heat.
Congratulations to all the branches that competed. All participating firms will be featured in upcoming full-page Power Smart ads in the popular business publications Electrical Line and Business in Vancouver.