Zero-Waste Policy
At SisterLove, we are committed to minimizing our waste and moving towards a zero-waste future. We will conduct regular waste audits to identify opportunities for reduction and diversion, with the goal of achieving a 90% waste diversion rate by 2030. This will include:
- Implementing comprehensive recycling and composting programs in all of our offices
- Phasing out single-use plastics and switching to reusable or compostable alternatives
- Digitizing our processes and records to minimize paper waste
- Partnering with local organizations to responsibly donate or recycle electronics and other hard-to-recycle items
- Educating and engaging our staff in waste reduction best practices
Energy-Efficient Offices
We recognize that our office operations are a significant contributor to our carbon footprint, and we are committed to maximizing energy efficiency and conservation. We will conduct annual energy audits to identify opportunities for improvement, with the goal of reducing our energy consumption by 50% by 2030. This will include:
- Switching to LED lighting and installing occupancy sensors in all of our facilities
- Upgrading to Energy Star certified appliances and office equipment
- Utilizing smart power strips to reduce phantom energy drain
- Optimizing our heating and cooling systems and maintaining a moderate temperature range
- Purchasing renewable energy credits or installing solar panels to offset our electricity use
- Incorporating green building principles into any new construction or renovation projects
Sustainable Ways of Working
As an organization committed to health equity, we recognize the toll that long commutes and inflexible work arrangements can take on our staff and communities. That is why we are embracing remote work and flexible scheduling as key strategies for reducing our carbon footprint and promoting work-life balance. This will include:
- Developing remote work and flexible scheduling policies to reduce commuting emissions
- Providing our staff with resources and training on setting up eco-friendly home offices
- Encouraging virtual meetings and limiting business travel to essential trips
- Offering public transit benefits or incentives for low-carbon commuting options
- Establishing guidelines for sustainable event planning, including zero-waste catering and virtual attendance options
- Incorporating sustainability education into our staff onboarding and professional development
Measurement and Accountability
To ensure that we are making meaningful progress towards our sustainability goals, we will establish baseline metrics for waste generation, energy use, and carbon emissions, and set ambitious but achievable reduction targets in each area. We will conduct annual sustainability audits and report our progress to our stakeholders, tying leadership and staff performance evaluations to sustainability outcomes. We will also seek third-party sustainability certifications or awards to validate our efforts, and solicit feedback and ideas from our staff and community members on how we can continue to improve.
Advocacy and Partnerships
As an advocacy organization, we know that our greatest impact will come not just from our own actions, but from our ability to educate, mobilize, and collaborate with others. We will use our platform to raise awareness about the intersections of climate, health, and justice, and advocate for policies that promote clean energy, green jobs, and climate resilience, particularly in marginalized communities. We will partner with environmental justice organizations to amplify our shared goals and initiatives, and support local sustainability efforts through volunteering, pro bono services, or community grants. By sharing our learnings and best practices with other nonprofits, we hope to accelerate sector-wide progress towards a more sustainable and just future.
At SisterLove, we understand that sustainability is a journey, not a destination. While we are proud of the commitments outlined in this statement, we know that there will always be more work to do. As we move forward, we pledge to continue challenging ourselves to deepen our sustainability efforts, in service of our mission and the communities we serve. We invite our stakeholders to hold us accountable to these commitments, and to join us in the vital work of building a world where all people and the planet can thriv