Sustainability, what does it mean for Lightwire? Like everyone else, we want to make the world a better place… phrases like these, however, do not magically make a positive impact on our planet and society. Improving the planet requires hard work, dedication, and most of all, consistency. So, back to the main question, what are we doing to make the world a better place?
The going greener initiative
Lightwire’s senior leadership team has committed to the “Lightwire going greener” initiative by:
- A) minimising the impact we have on the environment, and
- B) giving back to our planet.
The going greener initiative is a part of the Lightwire care company value where we are focused on achieving the best outcomes for our customers, communities, and team.
Minimising our impact
The rural team has made great strides in reducing the impact Lightwire has on the environment by phasing out older batteries in favour of new lithium batteries. Not only do these new batteries ensure a more reliable connection for rural broadband customers, but it also saves our technicians from driving all across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty to change failing batteries.
With the help of these new lithium batteries, rural broadband towers are self-sustained through the solar and wind energy that they generate You can read more about the new batteries and their impact here.
In a more holistic sense, we’re always looking for ways to reduce our impact on this planet of ours, here are some things we’ve started doing to be more sustainable;
- Fruit (our kitchen at HO is stocked daily) is delivered in reusable bamboo bags
- Sparkling water dispenser added to our head office
- Reusable takeaway lunch containers are available in our head office
- Soft plastics are recycled through Countdown
- Keep Cups now in general use after being gifted to all employees
- Solar power option being investigated for head office
- Eco-friendly system developed for presentation documents
- Distributed reusable straws
- Nespresso coffee capsules recycled, and home "donations" are welcomed
- Plastic courier envelopes replaced with compostable bags
- Organic Food Waste Collection introduced
As a business that operates on both sides of the Tasman, we rack up a fairly big number of air miles… at least we did prior to COVID. We look to offset this via flying carbon-neutral programs like Air New Zealand’s.
Giving back
Lightwire can’t change the world, but we can be a meaningful and well-intentioned part of a bigger picture, one where businesses realise that they must give back to a planet with finite resources instead of getting lost in the pursuit of infinite returns.
Lightwire believes that it needs to play a role in improving the quality of life of staff, clients and all the people we are yet to meet.
We believe that the most effective way we can achieve these outcomes, in a way that scales up as we grow, is to pledge to plant a tree every time we sell an internet connection to a client.
Planting trees in New Zealand
To offset carbon emissions in New Zealand we’ve partnered up with local (Waikato) agriculture expert, John Jackson. John identified gullies around Te Akau (West of Ngaruawahia) with reduced native trees and bush. John together with a crew and the help of Lightwire will help bring new life to these gullies and let native flora flourish.
Between June and August John and his crew will be planting a total of 600 plants (Mingimingi, Coprosma rigida, Hukihuki, Kahikatea, Kanuka)
Planting trees in Australia
To offset carbon emissions in Australia we’ve partnered with Greenfleet, a leading environmental non-profit organisation that has planted over 9.4 million trees across 500 forests since 1997 in Australia and New Zealand.
Greenfleet has done amazing work planting and restoring forests to absorb carbon emissions, improve soil and water quality, and restore habitat for native wildlife, including many endangered species.
“At Greenfleet, we are restoring native forests and growing climate hope thanks to the contributions of our amazing supporters, just like Lightwire” said Wayne Wescott, CEO of Greenfleet.
Below are some of the reasons why we look forward to working with Greenfleet;
- Carbon Agreement for each site that goes on title to protect it for at least 100 years.
- Trees spend more time in the pre-planting preparation stage; to ensure trees have better chance to survive
- On-going maintenance in the years after the planting, to ensure the trees are healthy and weeds are appropiately managed
- Targets specific locations across Australia that have high carbon growth
- As always, a big thanks goes to our clients, partners, and employees whose continued support allows us to grow and make us more sustainable.
