At Dogs for Better Lives (DBL), our commitment extends beyond our mission of training and placing Assistance Dogs. We understand the importance of caring for our community and our planet. As we celebrate Earth Day this year, we’re excited to share how DBL is doing its part to stay green and promote sustainability.
Lowering our Carbon “Paw”print
One of our primary focuses is on reducing waste and promoting sustainability in our daily operations. We’ve implemented several initiatives to minimize our environmental footprint:
- We’ve embraced recycling efforts throughout our facility, ensuring that materials are properly sorted and recycled.
- In our offices, we’ve opted for washable plates, cups, and utensils, reducing the need for single-use plastics.
- Embracing a nearly paperless office culture, we prioritize digital communication and documentation, minimizing paper usage.
- Motion-sensor lights have been installed in most offices and training areas, ensuring energy efficiency.
- Leveraging drought-resistant plants in our landscaping to reduce water usage.
Harnessing Solar Energy
DBL has taken significant strides in harnessing renewable energy sources to power our operations. We’re proud to announce the installation of a 306-panel, 97.9 kW solar array on our campus. This solar array is projected to meet over 75% of our energy needs, resulting in substantial cost savings and a significant reduction in our carbon footprint. You can track how our solar panels are helping us meet our energy via this tool, which we also have on our website.
Green Team
At DBL, we believe it is the organization’s duty to do our best to lessen our impact on the environment and the strain we put on finite resources. By focusing on being an environmentally friendly organization, we will not only protect our world for generations to come but also better steward the resources given to us. In order to achieve this goal, we actively engage employees in our Green Team, a group of staff across various departments who work together to drive DBL’s sustainability efforts. Our Green Team helps to educate employees on how we can become more eco-friendly both at work and in our personal lives. Our Green Team meets each month to discuss ways we can improve our efforts of being environmentally friendly, and then we help staff in implementing these ideas across the entire organization.
Our team is proud to be green!
Caring for the planet was instilled in me at a very young age. My kindergarten teacher was a huge advocate for taking care of the planet and that has stuck with me all these years. My husband and I are outdoor enthusiasts and we often spend a good chunk of our time outdoors cleaning up the trails we venture on or picking up discarded fishing line when spending time by the rivers and lakes. I joined the DBL Green Team because I deeply believe in a legacy of leaving things better than how we found it. While our time on this planet is short, our impact can last generations.
– Hannah
I wanted to join the green team for a multitude of reasons. One being that I get a chance to work closer with some staff that I may not get to see on a regular basis. Which also flows into my desire to help DBL live out all our values, and helping the staff that I do work closely with understand what we can do to ensure value #6 does not get left out as we strive for the rest. I also admire David Attenborough by religiously watch all his documentaries, and it makes me feel good as a human to know I am doing my part for our environment, and for Mr. Attenborough. This team is eye opening to all the ways we can be green and I am happy to be a part of making that difference!
– Emilia
I have been looking for an opportunity to share my love for this planet we live and thrive on with other likeminded people. I grew up watching Planet Earth and have always been drawn to making sure I am doing what I can to give back to the environment. Being able to be an advocate now, within DBL, and help educate and inspire others on ways we can help out our environment is so special.
-Claudia
How You Can Join Us
We believe that small actions can make a big difference. Here are some ways you can join us in our mission of sustainability:
- Turn off lights and unplug unused devices to conserve energy.
- Opt for reusable bags while shopping to reduce plastic waste.
- Use reusable plates, bowls, and silverware instead of disposable options.
- Embrace digital platforms and reduce paper usage wherever possible.
Together We CAN
As part of our sustainability efforts, we invite you to support DBL by donating your recycled cans.
Oregon residents can donate cans to DBL through Bottle Drop. Simply select Dogs for Better Lives as your charity of choice or pick up blue bags with our stickers to donate your can funds directly to our cause. Funds raised through Blue Bags or online donations made from Green Bag accounts from April 22 – May 4 are eligible for a 20% match!
Not in Oregon? You can set up your own fundraiser and donate the funds back to Dogs for Better Lives. The following states provide money back for recycled cans:
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- CA- CRV
- MI & OR- 10 cents
- CT, HI, ME, MA, NY, VT, IA 5 cents
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Join us in celebrating Earth Day by making small changes that collectively contribute to a healthier planet. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of individuals and the environment we share. Visit our sustainability page to learn more about our initiatives and how you can get involved. Together, let’s create a brighter, greener future for all.
