Stories - BizforClimate

December 21, 2022 · BY Trevor Buhnai

Cypher Environmental

Cypher Environmental is a leading global environmental solution provider for dust control and road stabilization. With ESG (Environmental Social Governance) and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) principles at the core of every decision we make, we proudly boast the tag line, “Always do what’s right.”

Why did your company sign the Climate Action Pledge?

We feel it’s important to be influencers in the business community. While our products are sustainable and used to help our clients reduce their environmental footprint, we wanted to give back to a greater degree than just making our clients more sustainable. It’s important to act now to preserve the world for our children and future generations.

Why is it important for business owners to speak up and show leadership on climate change?

People look up to us as influencers, not just in the business community, but the communities in which our team members live. While government has a role to play in setting policy, business owners have a direct impact in their communities and the way in which their businesses operate and influence others. Collectively, we have a strong voice that can be used to help impact other decision makers’ mindsets.

What is something you hope BizforClimate can change through our collective efforts?

We envision BizforClimate having a greater influence on bureaucrats and policy / decision makers as well as influencing the use of cleantech and the development of more sustainable solutions. Through this influence, we see collectively helping all of us achieve our net-zero goals and achieving them faster.

What’s a simple change you’ve made for the environment that other businesses could do?

We have many important changes for the environment that we have implemented. Over 80% of Cypher Environmental packaging is recycled and recyclable. We have an electric car charging station at the office and encourage the use of low / zero emission vehicles. We have implanted simple steps at the office to reduce our carbon footprint, such as composting and recycling for our entire team. We only consider inputs into our products that are fully non-toxic and renewable / biodegradable, and we even have a US EPA Safer Choice Certification for our best-selling product.

Trevor Buhnai
Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
Cypher Environmental

ZenFri

October 26, 2022 · BY Dee King & Corey King

ZenFri is an internationally recognized and award-winning interactive studio that leverages cutting-edge design and technology to push the boundaries of storytelling. Working across an array of mediums, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and gaming, we create lovingly crafted experiences for clients and consumers across Canada and around the world. …

Payworks

August 25, 2022 · BY JP Perron

Payworks is a leading expert in the field of total workforce management solutions, providing cloud-based Payroll, Human Resources, Employee Time and Absence Management to businesses across Canada. We’re a Platinum Club member of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, having held the Best Managed distinction every year since 2012, and were designated one …

Spark Media

July 20, 2022 · BY Maddie Thompson

Spark Media is a Social Media marketing agency based in Manitoba with clients across North America. “Spark” specializes in social media management, branding, and graphic design services for businesses, personal brands and organizations. Spark Media actively promotes climate action/environmentalism whether that be promoting it through social media or working with …

Botanical PaperWorks

May 30, 2022 · BY Heidi Reimer-Epp

Botanical PaperWorks is the world-leading supplier and manufacturer of eco-friendly seed paper products that grow plants that will benefit pollinators. No waste is left behind! Our mission is to spread beauty and reduce waste by helping both individuals and companies who want to make good environmental choices and celebrate important …

Relish New Brand Experience

February 16, 2022 · BY Suzanne Braun

Relish New Brand Experience is a Winnipeg-based integrated agency using marketing, design and technology, helping everyone from start-ups to big corporations. They started on the path to B Corp certification in 2017. It was also at this time that they considered their environmental footprint. They have since done everything from …

Learn what motivates companies to make the pledge.

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October 26, 2022 · BY Dee King & Corey King

ZenFri

ZenFri is an internationally recognized and award-winning interactive studio that leverages cutting-edge design and technology to push the boundaries of storytelling.

Working across an array of mediums, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and gaming, we create lovingly crafted experiences for clients and consumers across Canada and around the world.

At ZenFri, we pride ourselves in always pursuing endeavours we believe in, putting our conviction ahead of money since our founding 16 years ago. As a company founded by artists, we work every day to put something we’re passionate about into the world.

We signed the Climate Action Pledge because we believe actions have consequences and that we can make a difference no matter how big or small we are. This is an area where “artist” and “business” truly agree – that individual action matters. It’s why we set out to build a company and thirst to create something of meaning.

Everything we say, do, buy, and exist with is an action that has a tangible outcome to our life and environment. There’s a saying in the Zero Waste Community: “If you manufacture a product that will end up in a landfill in a couple of years, you aren’t manufacturing a product. You’re manufacturing garbage.”

Business owners need to consider their services long-term, past the original transaction. Where do your action’s efforts and resources go in 2 years? In 5 years? We have the amazing opportunity to make daily small decisions that are in favour of climate action.

At ZenFri, we’ve made many personal and company-wide changes to the way we conduct business and life in favour of a lower carbon and less resource intensive impact. We no longer attend international conferences, which significantly reduces air travel, and are fully remote, reducing the team’s commuting impact. Counter intuitively, this has led to greater growth both nationally and internationally.

This growth comes from a thoughtful product-first design approach, and a team focused on executing. A focus that is more intense and invigorated due to less commuting stress and travel time. Who can really concentrate on a product when they’re sitting in an airport in a different timezone, preparing for a booth or talk, or just figuring out how to get around in a new city? All that time goes into the product, and our products speak for themselves, bringing new work without travel expenditures or environmental impact.

Beyond these factors, we are increasingly alarmed with the lack of progress on climate change and are each looking for new ways to move our business in a greener direction, signing this pledge is just one of those ways.

Dee King & Corey King
Co-Founders
ZenFri Inc.

Cypher Environmental

December 21, 2022 · BY Trevor Buhnai

Payworks

August 25, 2022 · BY JP Perron

Spark Media

July 20, 2022 · BY Maddie Thompson

Botanical PaperWorks

May 30, 2022 · BY Heidi Reimer-Epp

Relish New Brand Experience

February 16, 2022 · BY Suzanne Braun

Learn what motivates companies to make the pledge.

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August 25, 2022 · BY JP Perron

Payworks

Why did your company sign the Climate Action Pledge?

We’re honoured to join the many businesses that are advocating for a clean, zero-carbon economy.

Payworks has long acknowledged the crucial role of the private sector in supporting the urgent preservation of our shared environment. We signed the Climate Action Pledge because we believe that it’s our responsibility to advocate for favourable climate action and to encourage other Canadian businesses to do the same.

Why is it important for business owners to speak up and show leadership on climate change?

It’s important for the business community to come together to create action and to promote the economic benefits of making environmentally-friendly choices. We can amplify our voices and our collective message when we work together.

What’s a simple change you’ve made for the environment that other businesses could do?

Our Green Perspective guides us in building and maintaining environmentally-friendly practices within our everyday office activities. We’ve shared some of the ways we’re reducing our environmental footprint and ideas for other employers to begin adopting green business practices in an article on our blog.

JP Perron
President & CEO
Payworks

Cypher Environmental

December 21, 2022 · BY Trevor Buhnai

ZenFri

October 26, 2022 · BY Dee King & Corey King

Spark Media

July 20, 2022 · BY Maddie Thompson

Botanical PaperWorks

May 30, 2022 · BY Heidi Reimer-Epp

Relish New Brand Experience

February 16, 2022 · BY Suzanne Braun

Learn what motivates companies to make the pledge.

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July 20, 2022 · BY Maddie Thompson

Spark Media

Spark Media actively promotes climate action/environmentalism whether that be promoting it through social media or working with environmentally-friendly businesses. Spark operates remotely with staff working from their own homes so there is no need for unnecessary transportation and the related emissions.

Spark Media signed the Climate Action Pledge because we believe favourable climate action should be a top priority for business. Spreading this message around is of paramount importance to us. The primary driver of signing the Pledge is in the education of others.

Speaking up about Climate Change is important because business owners have more public power than they often appreciate. Business owners can start by reducing their own carbon footprint and then encouraging their employees and customers to do the same. Businesses can also invest in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. In addition, business owners can speak out about the need for action on climate change and support legislation that will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By taking these steps, business owners can show that they are committed to protecting the environment and help to ensure a sustainable future for all.

My hope is that BizforClimate can influence business owners and policymakers so we can address the climate crisis, build awareness around the issue, and ultimately, take action!

Maddie Thompson
Founder
Spark Media

Cypher Environmental

December 21, 2022 · BY Trevor Buhnai

ZenFri

October 26, 2022 · BY Dee King & Corey King

Payworks

August 25, 2022 · BY JP Perron

Botanical PaperWorks

May 30, 2022 · BY Heidi Reimer-Epp

Relish New Brand Experience

February 16, 2022 · BY Suzanne Braun

Learn what motivates companies to make the pledge.

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May 30, 2022 · BY Heidi Reimer-Epp

Botanical PaperWorks

Botanical PaperWorks is the world-leading supplier and manufacturer of eco-friendly seed paper products that grow plants that will benefit pollinators. No waste is left behind!

Our mission is to spread beauty and reduce waste by helping both individuals and companies who want to make good environmental choices and celebrate important life events in an eco-conscious manner. In keeping with that mission, we recently expanded our eco-friendly offerings to include handmade soaps made with natural ingredients.

Eco-consciousness has always been a big part of the company’s core values. We proudly strive to empower consumers and businesses to make better choices for our planet by offering products that are sustainable alternatives to plastics and virgin papers. Leading by example is critical to our mission, so signing the Climate Action Pledge is a important step to show that we care and are committed to taking action. We see the climate crisis and we want to be a part of the community that stands together to fight it.

When business owners walk the talk and lead by example, they can inspire employees, customers, peers, other business owners, and even policy-makers. They have the power (and a responsibility) to make changes and decisions that will have a big impact on our future. That’s one of the reasons we love that we get to work with businesses as they send their green messages. We get to see how they are making an impact with green products and initiatives and help them tell the world about it.

Change doesn’t happen overnight and none of us have all the answers. Businesses need to lean on each other, collaborate, and continuously learn how to do better. We hope that BizforClimate can foster those connections and be a resource for businesses.

One action we’ve already taken is to work with Terracycle to collect and recycle used masks at our facility. Covid has had a huge negative impact on the environment and every effort we can make to reduce waste matters. The program is easy to take part in and will help divert thousands of masks from the landfill. The recycled material is processed and used to manufacture a variety of new products including outdoor furniture, plastic shipping pallets, outdoor decking, and more.

Heidi Reimer-Epp,
CEO & Founder
Botanical PaperWorks

Cypher Environmental

December 21, 2022 · BY Trevor Buhnai

ZenFri

October 26, 2022 · BY Dee King & Corey King

Payworks

August 25, 2022 · BY JP Perron

Spark Media

July 20, 2022 · BY Maddie Thompson

Relish New Brand Experience

February 16, 2022 · BY Suzanne Braun

Learn what motivates companies to make the pledge.

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February 16, 2022 · BY Suzanne Braun

Relish New Brand Experience

In addition, Relish announced the creation of a Change in the Making Climate Action Grant in 2022. This is a national grant to support climate action projects. Relish help organizations by covering a minimum $10,000 in labour costs to help them elevate their brand, communications and technology.

“The team at BizforClimate really make you feel like you’re part of something bigger, more influential,” says Relish managing director Suzanne Braun, “and that your being consistent with a green mindset will truly have positive, long-term results. We hope, through our collective efforts, that this will encourage other businesses to start, as we did, with the small things. Then, continually try to improve and connect with other businesses and initiatives for ideas.”

Suzanne Braun
Founder & Managing Director
Relish New Brand Experience

Cypher Environmental

December 21, 2022 · BY Trevor Buhnai

ZenFri

October 26, 2022 · BY Dee King & Corey King

Payworks

August 25, 2022 · BY JP Perron

Spark Media

July 20, 2022 · BY Maddie Thompson

Botanical PaperWorks

May 30, 2022 · BY Heidi Reimer-Epp

Learn what motivates companies to make the pledge.

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November 9, 2021 · BY Kelly Sitarz

Titan Environmental Containment

Titan Environmental Containment supplies, fabricates and installs high-quality geosynthetics and specialty civil engineering construction products that help manage the environment and prolong the life of critical infrastructure. We offer a range of innovative, low-impact and cost-effective products designed to protect soil, water, and air, reduce carbon footprint, and preserve natural resources.

Titan signed up for the Climate Action Pledge because we, as a company, believe in the cause. Our moral obligation as a prominent environmentally-conscious company is to protect the Earth. By supporting this pledge we are choosing to be leaders in the fight for carbon footprint reduction and are doing our part to prevent environmental damage in the future.

Business owners are drivers of change in their industries, and collectively we have a strong voice. We need to work together on educating a wide range of audiences in climate change to help reduce carbon footprint. If we ignore this now, our country’s pristine forests, lakes, rivers, and nature will be compromised. We need to avoid this for the well-being of our future generations.

We see BizforClimate as a conduit to educate and raise awareness about global climate change issues while acting as valuable public resources. Ultimately, we hope BizforClimate will have a meaningful impact on public policy development as it relates to carbon footprint reduction in the civil construction industry.

Kelly Sitarz
Executive Director
Titan Environmental Containment

Cypher Environmental

December 21, 2022 · BY Trevor Buhnai

ZenFri

October 26, 2022 · BY Dee King & Corey King

Payworks

August 25, 2022 · BY JP Perron

Spark Media

July 20, 2022 · BY Maddie Thompson

Botanical PaperWorks

May 30, 2022 · BY Heidi Reimer-Epp

Learn what motivates companies to make the pledge.

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October 21, 2021 · BY Chris Maxfield

Indigeno Travel

Located on Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg, Indigeno Travel is Canada’s leading-edge Indigenous-owned national travel agency, offering a complete, competitive slate of corporate travel services. Thanks to deep integration with their travel partners, they operate at the scale and capacity of one of Canada’s largest independent travel agencies with over 2,000 corporate clients in both Canada and the United States.

Indigeno Travel believes it is important to be active in the fight for climate action. Signing the Climate Action Pledge sends a clear signal to the government that the business community is taking this issue seriously. Indigeno has developed the Indigenous Carbon Offset Program that helps decarbonize the planet while also financially supporting Indigenous climate action projects and carbon reduction strategies.

Indigeno hopes to raise awareness about their one-of-a-kind Indigenous Carbon Offset Program (ICOP). Sending carbon offset dollars directly to a gardening project in a remote community or to help finance the installation of solar panels in an arena: these small steps are important in the overall, concerted effort that we, in the business community, should be taking seriously.

We encourage our fellow Climate Action Pledge Signatories to take action by subscribing to ICOP. Even small and modest-sized projects matter.

Chris Maxfield
Founder & VP Business Development, Indigeno Travel

Cypher Environmental

December 21, 2022 · BY Trevor Buhnai

ZenFri

October 26, 2022 · BY Dee King & Corey King

Payworks

August 25, 2022 · BY JP Perron

Spark Media

July 20, 2022 · BY Maddie Thompson

Botanical PaperWorks

May 30, 2022 · BY Heidi Reimer-Epp

Learn what motivates companies to make the pledge.

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July 22, 2021 · BY Daniel Blair

Bit Space Development Ltd.

Bit Space Development Ltd. (BSD) is an innovation company based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, specializing in creating learning experiences for the classroom and workplace using advanced technologies. BSD focuses on innovative technologies, such as AR, VR, AI, computer vision and machine learning.

BSD’s solutions are used by medium and large companies in the construction trades, manufacturing, aerospace, mining, medical industries, and military projects. BSD projects have won multiple awards, and the company was named a Top AR/VR Developer and Top B2B Solution Provider in 2020 and 2021.

For more information about BSD, visit www.bitspacedevelopment.com

Why did your company sign the Climate Action Pledge?

BSD signed the climate action pledge because our mission is to build a safer world for the future. Usually, we do that by developing simulations of technology aligned with that. Still, we believe in making commitments and a strategy internally to reduce our footprint from the start at a more philosophical level.

As BSD grows and branches into new areas of business focused on physically building hardware, we are focused on the waste we produce, the types of materials we work with, and the impact they have on the planet. Signing the pledge came hand in hand with an internal climate action committee built out of management and staff to strategize and implement green work practices.

Why is it important for business owners to speak up and show leadership on climate change?

Businesses have the most significant impact on climate change. Business owners need to speak up because they will inspire and drive their teams to a positive impact and set an example for the people working with and for them. It can be a huge task to build a strategy for your company to reduce emissions and lower its impact on the climate. Still, we won’t have a habitable environment left to do business without doing so.

What is something you hope BizforClimate can change through our collective efforts?

I hope that BizforClimate will help raise awareness, bring people together, and inspire people to move towards solutions. With momentum, we can make positive changes for the environment that simply can’t be ignored.

When small businesses work together to reduce their carbon footprint it might not make as big of a difference compared to those with larger-scale opportunities, but it’s a step in the right direction. We can make a change now and as our businesses grow. We become large companies with green initiatives baked in from the start; we won’t fall into the same cycles and bureaucratic issues surrounding implementing change at scale.

Also hope that by banding together, we can get the attention of large businesses and bring them into these initiatives and gain the attention of policymakers and our government to listen and work with BizforClimate. And for the business community to make long-term changes so our children and grandchildren can enjoy our planet as well.

What’s a simple change you’ve made for the environment that other businesses could do?

We have made several changes at BSD to try to make a difference. One is the formation of our climate action committee, a voluntary group within BSD focused on looking at the actions of the business, similar to our health and safety committee.

On the business’s hardware side, we have been looking at biodegradable packing materials for when we ship orders to our clients. We manufacture hardware to order as much as possible to reduce the need to stockpile materials and chemicals we don’t need at the time. We use materials made from recycled or recyclable materials as much as possible, and the components we choose, if possible, come from sources that can be considered greener.

We reduce air conditioning and heat at our offices when people are not using the physical space and have moved towards low power consumption servers for some of our non-critical services. We avoid using data centers when we don’t have to because they can create huge waste. That gives us more control over the amount of time we run our services and the energy we use.

These might be small things now, but in the future, these policies today may add up and make a big difference.

Daniel Blair
Founder and CEO
Bit Space Development

Cypher Environmental

December 21, 2022 · BY Trevor Buhnai

ZenFri

October 26, 2022 · BY Dee King & Corey King

Payworks

August 25, 2022 · BY JP Perron

Spark Media

July 20, 2022 · BY Maddie Thompson

Botanical PaperWorks

May 30, 2022 · BY Heidi Reimer-Epp

Learn what motivates companies to make the pledge.

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March 18, 2021 · BY Jeff Vilar

Naida Communications

Naida Communications is a full-service sales-oriented marketing strategist, consulting and training company dedicated to providing integrated sales and marketing solutions tailored to your business. Our only mandate is to help you and your team optimize internal processes and scale on a consistent basis.

Climate change is our here and now, and there are many businesses in our world that take no action against it. In fact, many businesses profit from it. And we’ve rationalized this as “okay” because “it’s just the cost of doing business.” We feel it is important to support BizforClimate because their mission is to not only raise awareness for climate change but also to help businesses enact meaningful and substantial change.

Naida feels as if it’s taken the first step toward a more sustainable tomorrow, but we know the fight doesn’t stop with working from home or carpooling, reducing our paper use and plastics. We have aligned ourselves with BizforClimate because they are the conduit, the necessary resource, we can lean on and learn from.

Business owners have the power to seek change and act upon it. They have the power to make the decisions that will matter. Ultimately, the leaders of our business world can help or hinder how quickly we have an impact on public policy.

We hope that BizforClimate can be that organization that advocates for climate change in the business world, where their impact on public policy can help reduce the world’s carbon footprint, one business at a time.

Jeff Vilar
President
Naida Communications

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