March is B Corp month and as we celebrate, we hope to continue moving forward with purpose and positive impacts. We asked our Green Team what moving forward at Copernicus meant to them. Read on to see what they thought.
Moving Forward for Our Children
This way to more equitable education
We believe that schools should be inspiring spaces where educators and students thrive. Aside from making useful, multi-purpose products, we also support teachers. In 2023, through our Educator Thank You Program, we donated 27 Copernicus products, 50 supplies, and supported 1 DonorsChoose project.
This way to nature-based learning
We’re dedicated to advancing nature-based learning initiatives and we hope this work helps instill values of environmental stewardship and sustainability into young minds.
- Nature Program: In 2023, we successfully piloted a free summer nature program for the first time. Melissa Kooiman, ECE, was our practitioner who led daily programming for local children ages 0-12 at Copernicus’ Nature Reserve. We hope to continue this program in the future and are working on plans to support this.
- Trees for Schools Program: Since 2009, Copernicans have packed up 203,740 tree seedlings and 13,477 wildflower seed packets to be donated to schools across South Western Ontario, in celebration of Earth Day.
- Through our giving strategy, we support many environmental education initiatives such as Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots, Trees for Schools, and Donor’sChoose Projects with an environmental focus.
.jpg)
Moving forward for our planet
This way to more sustainable manufacturing
We’re continuously working to develop lower carbon-emitting products and we also have many initiatives to ensure our facility is running efficiently, and using less energy.
Our products:
- We are beginning to transition our product materials to more sustainable alternatives such as bamboo, 100% recycled plastic, and 100% recycled plastic lumber.
- We are working to eliminate plastic from our packaging and so far, we have eliminated strapping, switched to paper hardware bags, eliminated shrink-wrap plastic and foam, and reduced the number of plastic cable ties in products with cardboard inserts. Next, we’re looking at developing a reusable cable tie, to get rid of the single-use ones for good!
- As a certified B-Corp, supply chain transparency is also critical which is why we have implemented a Supplier Code of Conduct and Supplier Audit Process.
Our facility:
- We are ready to implement a scalable solar panel improvement project and are working to finalize those details
- Our Canadian facility runs off approximately 7% solar power
- Our main sourcing partner in China is running on 100% solar power
- We remain committed to measuring, reducing, and finding recycling and circulation pathways to divert waste from landfills by conducting waste audits and developing formal processes and policies.
Moving forward for our People
This Way to Better Work-Life Balance
We recognize that a healthy work-life balance is essential for employee well-being and productivity. We want Copernicans to come to work and have an opportunity to be their best selves. We also want them to have the flexibility and support to do what matters to them outside of work.
- We provide full-time employees with fair compensation, health benefits, flex-time, a unique parent shift with reduced hours, profit sharing, and a retirement savings matching program
- We provide opportunities for training and development, as well as tuition subsidies
- Each employee has a paid day off to celebrate a holiday that is significant to them and their culture
This Way to Better Social and Environmental Responsibility (SER)
As a certified B-Corp, we hold ourselves to high standards of social and environmental responsibility. To ensure we’re moving forward, each department has goals related to SER, and employees are provided with ongoing sustainability training. Our Green Team meets monthly to lead and organize initiatives within the company, and they sure do like to keep things interesting! We have two full-time people dedicated to leading our social and environmental initiatives, which is uncommon for a company our size. To see all the great plans our Green Team has follow us on social: use @copernicused on X, Facebook, and @copernicuseducationalproducts on Instagram.
.jpg)
Check out our other blog topics.
Let's keep in touch! Sign up to receive information on new product launches, our blog, and more!
Skip to Content
Added to Cart!