 What Do Companies Do For Earth Day? We Boil It Down to Four Categories
In 1970, the Dayton Hudson Corporation, now known as Target, gave out free trees to its customers on the very first Earth Day. Since then, companies the world over have marked April 22 in a variety of ways large and small. 
Great Forest took a look at what companies usually do or Earth Day and found that most events and activities broke down into one of the following four categories:
- Events
- Competitions, Awards and Recognitions
- Community Service and Action
- Green Programs and Teams
Need ideas? Check out examples from all four categories in our Earth Day roundup featured this month in Environmental Leader.
From building recycled sculptures and breaking world records to holding recycling drives and organizing lunchtime talks. Ideas run from the creative to the simple.
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Chinese Artist's Phoenix Is A "Recycled" Marvel, Will Soar In NYC For The Next Year (Video/Photos)
If you are in NYC, head uptown to see artist Xu Bing's monumental "Phoenix" installation soaring inside the Cathedral of St John the Divine on 110th Street.
The two birds, measuring over 90 and 100 feet, and weighing over 12 tons, are "recycled" marvels -- made up of construction debris salvaged from sites throughout Beijing.
We spotted nails, metal railings, tubing, shovels, various tools, and even the body of a small cement mixer.
"Large scale artworks made from waste materials can powerfully engage viewers to really think about how much is wasted in our culture," says Great Forest recycling expert Sandra Robishaw, who is also an artist.
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Great Forest's own "recycled" bird
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We are big fans of "recycled" art at Great Forest. Last year, Sandra built our own "recycled" bird for America Recycles Day! Each year, we create a variety of different displays using discarded water bottles, cans, cardboard and paper for various Earth Day events. But we were blown away by the scale and vision of Xu Bing's work. It is truly inspiring. Who knows, maybe next year our displays might take a few hints from this artist's magnificent example.
The giant birds were assembled in the cathedral over two months, using over 30 hoists and 140 feet of truss (watch a video of the installation above).
They will be on view in NYC for a year (see more photos here).
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Sustainable Solutions For Unwanted Assets
 What do you do with hundreds of pieces of unwanted furniture?
This was the challenge that AvalonBay Communities Inc. faced recently when they decided to update the poolside furniture for their residential communities in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
They could have contracted a vendor to remove and landfill the furniture, but they were interested in a more sustainable approach.
Working with Great Forest, they found two sustainable solutions for removal of the items. >> Read More |
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Earth Hour, which falls on March 29 this year, has become more than just a global lights out event. Why not take inspiration from the idea of Earth Hour to make a difference on a local level, starting in your office? How about organizing an Office Green Hour?
If you can get your staff, tenants or colleagues to make a change for just one hour, you might see the benefits linger long after.
Here are 7 ideas to consider for your first Office Green Hour. >>Read More
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Bowling For Charity With The Great Forest Recyclers
This Thursday, March 27th, Great Forest will be bowling for charity as "The Recyclers." We will be raising money for Everybody Wins! New York, a nonprofit that pairs adults with school age kids to help with reading.
Proceeds will also fund the Power Lunch program at the Future Leaders Institute in Harlem, where
Great Forest director of sustainability Anna Dengler volunteers.
Join in the fun. Register your own team or support our team.
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| Making A Difference: What Do Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Have In Common With 100,000 Mongolians?
About 100,000 Mongolians are rural "gold ninjas."
Great Forest is a proud supporter of the Blacksmith Institute, a nonprofit that works to clean up some of the world's worst polluted communities, where children are poisoned everyday. Each month we feature a story about making a difference.
More Making a Difference:
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Great Forest Inc.
212.779.4757
2014 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10035
A pioneer in the industry with over 20 years of experience, Great Forest is one of the leading sustainability consultancies in the country. We improve environmental performance and reduce costs for clients nationwide ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to property management companies, hotels, retailers, financial and educational institutions, and municipalities.
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