Why have a whole day dedicated to a slow-cooling ball of molten rock orbiting a star? Earth is a pretty cool place, when you think about it. It gives us food, water, and energy. Its gravity keeps us from floating into the sun. Earth Day reminds us to pay proper homage to our celestial habitat. Here’s five manufacturers that respect Planet Earth all year round by keeping their business practices lean and green.
Panasonic
This year, this electronics giant pledged to completely revamp their business and become the #1 green innovation company in the industry. They’ve set a goal to cut C02 emissions by 40 million tons by 2018, and their production of solar cells and fuel cell cogeneration units is making renewable energy accessible to consumers around the world.
Intel
Intel knows that powering most of the world’s computers can come at a cost. That’s why they’ve taken serious steps towards reducing waste and harmful byproduct from the components they produce. They have high recycling rates for most products and actively work to find alternatives to toxic materials used in production. They also aim for energy efficiency; for the past three years, the EPA has named Intel the largest purchaser of green power among Fortune 500 companies.
Honda
Honda proudly claims to be the most fuel-efficient auto company in the world. They were a trailblazer in the realm of low-emission and hybrid vehicles, and they continue to set the bar high for environmental responsibility today. They are currently working to popularize the utilization of clean hydrogen fuel for both vehicles and the home.
Sprint-Nextel
This eco-friendly wireless provider isn’t just setting lofty goals; they’re meeting them. They’re currently recycling over 50% of their products and they’re well on their way to reducing emissions by 15% before 2017. They’re also the only US-based phone provider to offer three “green” phones.
Nike
If you’re looking to match Nike in an Earth-off, you’ve got some big shoes to fill. They’ve employed widespread programs to ensure minimal emissions, toxicity, and water use across their entire supply chain. And they have prioritized carbon-neutrality internally as well; their Benelux headquarters are completely run on renewable energy.
