IKEA Canada and Tree Canada celebrate 17 years of greening communities
BURLINGTON, ON, May 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, IKEA co-workers across Canada will show their ongoing commitment to their communities by joining forces with Tree Canada for the 17th annual Pick a Tree, Plant a Tree program. Since the program's inception, IKEA co-workers have planted over 23,000 trees and shrubs, which have the potential to absorb approximately 17,500 tonnes of CO2 absorbed over an 80-year period - the equivalent of taking 3,900 cars off the road for one year. The program is funded by the sales of Christmas trees sold at IKEA during the holiday season.
"I am personally very proud of our 17 year partnership with Tree Canada and how it realizes IKEA's on-going commitment to having a positive impact on the communities where we do business," says Kerri Molinaro, President of IKEA Canada. "This is the kind of initiative that has helped us to attract co-workers who share our passion for sustainability and has led IKEA to be recognized as one of Canada's Greenest employers for the 5th year in a row by Mediacorp."
"IKEA Canada has been a steadfast partner of Tree Canada for the last 17 years," says Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada. "Together we have planted 23,839 trees in urban areas as a way of encouraging IKEA's employees to actively support and serve the community and the environment."
The trees that have been planted through the program provide many benefits to communities, such as noise reduction, cleaner air, erosion control, wetland protection, habitat, wildlife and biodiversity creation and restoration, beautification, and shaded play areas.
The tree planting event comes on the heels of IKEA Canada's nod as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for the 5th year in a row by Mediacorp. It also follows the recent launch of IKEA's aggressive sustainability strategy, People + Planet Positive. http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_CA/about_ikea/people_and_planet/index.html. One of the cornerstones of People + Planet Positive is to create a better life for people and communities.
About IKEA
IKEA is a leading home furnishings retailer with 325 stores in 40 countries worldwide, which are visited by 734 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 12 stores which are visited by over 25 million people every year. Last year the IKEA.com websites attracted over 1 billion visitors. Founded in 1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA, please visit: www.IKEA.ca.
About Tree Canada
Tree Canada is a not-for-profit charitable organization established to encourage Canadians to plant and care for trees in urban and rural environments. A winner of the Canadian Environmental Award (2007), Tree Canada engages Canadian companies, government agencies and individuals to support the planting of trees, the greening of schoolyards, and other efforts to sensitize Canadians to the benefits of planting and maintaining trees. To date, more than 77 million trees have been planted, more than 450 schoolyards have been greened, and Tree Canada has organized 9 national urban forest conferences. More information about Tree Canada is available at www.treecanada.ca.
Image with caption: "Co-workers from IKEA Canada gather to plant trees in celebration of their 17 year partnership with Tree Canada (CNW Group/IKEA Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130508_C3599_PHOTO_EN_26533.jpg
Image with caption: "Co-workers from IKEA Canada gather to plant trees in celebration of their 17 year partnership with Tree Canada (CNW Group/IKEA Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130508_C3599_PHOTO_EN_26534.jpg
SOURCE: IKEA Canada
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