Chariable Telus

Recently, my husband and I were honoured to be the guests of TELUS , attending a lovely evening at the TELUS Toronto Head Office where we feasted on local foods grown in their community garden and prepared for us by renowned Chef Massimo Capra. The evening started with a tour of new TELUS Roof Top Gardens which had amazing variety of fruits and vegetables, and spectacular views. If I ever had to go back to the corporate world – this is an office environment that I could certainly get into! As business owners it is important to ask ourselves how our work helps to affect positive change in the world. TELUS inspires us with their sustainability and charitable practices.

 

 

New Telus Sustainability Gardens

Jill Yetman, Senior Communications Manager at TELUS with Rob Mitchell (my hubby) looking at the New TELUS gardens (opened June 2014)

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A few of the fresh herbs and produce grown on the roof top at TELUS

 

After touring the gardens and learning about their practices we were treated to a fantastic dinner which was very communal and intimate, with the opportunity for us all to chat and watch Massimo work his magic.

harvesttable

Here is a little summary of what I learned about sustainability and charitable practices at TELUS :

  • The rooftop garden at TELUS House Toronto was created to maximize the green space at the building and generate fresh, local, organic produce for team members and local charitable organizations including Toronto-based charity, Green Thumbs Growing Kids in addition to giving team members a chance to learn about sustainability through educational workshops and hands-on learning.
    • TELUS House Toronto has paved the way for the next phase of the company’s corporate urban gardens across the country.
      • TELUS Garden, the company’s LEED-platinum-certified head office in Vancouver, opens later this year and TELUS recently broke ground on TELUS Sky in Calgary, another LEED-platinum development.
  • TELUS’ Green Team network of team members  have passionately volunteered their time to promote environmentally sustainability
  • Encouraging team members to address climate change and reduce their carbon footprint
  • Minimizing consumption of resources
  • Reducing pollution generated and enhancing waste diversion programs
  • Promoting green commuting initiatives such as telework, public transit, biking and carpooling
  • One of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Companies in the World by Corporate Knights four times since 2009
  • Here is representation of solid waste diverted from landfills  and recycling efforts:

 

Telus

 

batteries recycled

 

What I love most about working with TELUS (who support the women entrepreneurs we work with across Canada) is their team. Jill, Donna, Melissa, Tasha, just to name a few – all display such pride in their work. It is a pleasure to catch up with these lovely ladies at events because you can tell how much they care about us, and also the pride they take in making a difference through the work they do on behalf of TELUS. It is clear they are a team who love to work together, and value their customers and partners. Catching up with them is like coming to see good friends and family. It is something really special!

 

Here is a great video as part of a post on the opening of the gardens that Enviro Dad put together:

 

Here are some Pictures from Our Evening: