Urban Origins
Updated
May 10, 2023
6 min read
We went back to Great Eastern for their Earth Week 2023 activation in April.
This year, we featured a mix of immersive and self-guided activities for their employees to explore.
Fashion Swap
One of the highlights was the fashion swap, supported by our friends at Cloop. Employees could bring along their unwanted fashion pieces that are in good condition, to swap for another piece.
The concept is simple: bring along those once-treasured fashion pieces that no longer speak to your personal style or have fallen out of favour. These items could be the perfect addition to someone else's wardrobe. Such an event also represents a shift in our mindset towards conscious consumption. Rather than succumbing to the allure of fast fashion and its negative environmental impact, we choose a more sustainable path. By swapping clothes, we extend the lifespan of these items and reduce the need for new production.
A fashion swap offers a fantastic way to refresh your wardrobe without contributing to the waste generated by the fashion industry. It also reminds us that fashion can be a force for positive change, and that our choices as consumers have the potential to shape a more environmentally conscious industry.
Pre-loved Donations
Employees could also contribute their pre-loved clothes, books and toys for a used textiles donation drive. Rather than letting these pre-loved items gather dust or contribute to landfills, these are given to various beneficiaries and are repurposed, up-cycled, or reused to extract further value.
The benefits of such a donation drive extend far beyond the immediate act of giving. By diverting textiles from landfills, we actively reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a more circular economy. We become conscious consumers, understanding that the value of an item extends beyond its initial use.
Furthermore, this initiative fosters a sense of community within the workplace as coworkers bond over their collective impact. It also inspires participants to pause and reflect on the possessions they own, encouraging them to declutter and donate items they no longer need.
In total, 315.8kg of clothes, 19.8kg of toys and 18.2kg of books were donated to various beneficiaries.
Sustainability Exhibition
In the spirit of promoting sustainability and fostering a connection between employees and the organisation's environmental goals, captivating exhibition displays were set up, to share knowledge and provide inspiration. These displays became a powerful medium to educate and engage individuals on crucial topics such as carbon emissions, zero waste, and clean energy.
As employees wandered through the exhibition, they were greeted by vibrant and thought-provoking graphics that showcased the pressing need to address carbon emissions. The displays inspired employees to explore sustainable practices both at work and in their personal lives. Individuals were encouraged to embrace the principles of zero waste, inviting them to reconsider consumption patterns and explore innovative ways to minimise waste generation. Additionally, the exhibition shed light on the transformative potential of clean energy and renewable energy sources.
To infuse an element of excitement and foster interactive learning, quizzes were strategically incorporated into the displays, transforming education into an enjoyable and rewarding experience. This gamification element not only encouraged healthy competition but also motivated individuals to dive deeper into the subject matter and actively seek out ways to make a positive impact.
Brand Showcase
Finally, the sustainable brand showcase was the obvious crowd favourite. At this pop-up, we featured over 20 sustainable and local brands on rotation, and it was delightful to see employees choosing to try some of the healthier products on offer. Some of the popular brands include Kelly Snacks, WellSpent and The Un-Possible Kitchen.
We hope this short campaign has helped to inspire employees to adopt more sustainable habits, and be willing to try more local green brands!
Organising a sustainability or wellness activation for your organisation? Wondering what to do for Earth Day, Sustainability Week, or Wellness Wednesdays? Let us know your requirements here!