Taking the plunge: Ontario Power Authority’s green champion goes all out for sustainability

Mike Robertson, one of WWF’s 2014 Living Planet @ Work Champions of the Year, is willing to do what it takes to promote sustainability in his workplace — even if that means plunging into Lake Ontario on the coldest day of winter to raise money for WWF’s Arctic conservation program.
Fortunately, most of Mike’s eco-initiatives take place in less chilly conditions.
 

As a newly hired analyst at the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), Mike first heard about the opportunity to join the organization’s Environment Committee at an orientation session. As a long-time environmentalist, he jumped on the opportunity. “I thought if I could maybe change a few practices a little bit here, then I’ll be making a worthwhile difference,” he says.
Now co-chair of the committee, Mike can point to far more success than just changing a few company practices. Waste stream diversion is up nine percent from last year — nearly double the committee’s target — thanks to new signage, continued employee outreach, and a hugely successful e-waste drive. And by working with the IT department and through outreach initiatives, the team reduced colour printing to just 24 percent of OPA’s total print load, surpassing their goal of 33 percent.
To keep energy conservation front of mind, OPA employees are now greeted by a screen in the lobby that tracks the organization’s electricity usage, thanks to a company-wide contest that asked employees for their top eco-ideas. Next year, their green team plans to up the ante by displaying energy use floor by floor and promoting a little healthy competition.
Some of the biggest wins, according to Mike, have been shifting to greener procurement policies that cover everything from the cups and plates at catered events to notepads, pens and facial tissues.
And, of course, Mike and seven brave co-workers took a dip in icy Lake Ontario to raise $1,300 for WWF’s Arctic Home program — an achievement recognized at a company-wide town hall
According to Mike, making good environmental choices isn’t just the right thing to do. Because electricity conservation programs in Ontario are administered by OPA, the organization has to “walk the talk.” He also notes that green initiatives are a powerful recruitment tool. “For a lot of new employees, and particularly younger employees, it can be a draw to the company,” he points out.
With so much achieved, what’s next for OPA’s Environment Committee? That’s the big question, Mike says. “A lot of the low hanging fruit has been fully harvested, so we are getting into some of the more difficult things, like changing individual’s habits,” he explains.
But this champion isn’t deterred. With buy-in from OPA’s top leaders, a fantastic Environmental Committee that made so much possible and the support of WWF’s Living Planet @ Work community, Mike is ready to take on that challenge.
Congratulations to Mike and his committed colleagues at OPA! Your achievements are a real inspiration.
Interested in leading footprint reduction initiatives, hosting environmental campaigns and fundraising for conservation programs year-round with your colleagues like Mike? Join Living Planet @ Work and get free access to tools and resources to help you.