We are delighted to share our recent work with WestJet through our Green4Good program. Solving the challenge of end-of-first-life IT asset disposal, Green4Good helps organizations responsibly dispose of their used hardware while generating carbon credits as well as monetary value for charity. We are very proud to play an important role in WestJet’s donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which will benefit sick children and their families across Canada. Read on to find out how we made it all possible (article first published on WestJet.com).
Repurposing of airline’s IT assets results in significant donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada
Since 2018, WestJet has partnered with Compugen, one of Canada's largest IT service providers. Much like WestJet, Compugen has been committed to strengthening and supporting the communities where they live and work since their inception 40 years ago.
Through their Green4Good Program, Compugen assists organizations in the disposal of their end-of-first-life IT assets in an environmentally responsible way. Quite often, used IT assets end up in landfills. The Green4Good program ensures that end-of-life IT hardware is either repurposed or 100% recycled.
Throughout 2021, WestJet’s IT team worked with Compugen to responsibly process and remarket more than 2,056 IT assets. As a result, WestJet is making a $25,000 donation to the IT team’s charity of choice, WestJet Cares for Kids partner, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RHMC) Canada.
“At WestJet, we believe in doing business with companies that are also committed to doing good,” said Jenifer Badry, WestJet Manager, Community Investment. “Thank you to Compugen for making the world a little greener and for creating a program that enables us to further our support of RMHC Canada to keep families close to their sick children as they get the care they need to heal.”
The donation will be shared equally with RMHC’s 12 Regional Chapters, which offer 33 programs across Canada to support families and provide them with a place to stay together and close to their sick child in hospital.
“Once again, we are reminded of the generosity of our friends at WestJet and thank you hardly seems enough. This $25,000 gift will enable a remarkable 149 nights of accommodation for families at our 12 Regional Chapters across the country. On behalf of them and the families staying with us, thank you. We are so deeply grateful.” says Leslie Hederson, National Partnerships Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada.
According to the United Nations, eWaste is the fastest-growing source of waste in the world. One way for organizations to minimize the environmental impact of their technology consumption is by participating in an eWaste program that prioritizes reuse first and responsible recycling second. For most devices, 75% of the carbon emissions are produced during manufacturing, so the focus for the program is on the repurposing of used devices wherever possible. The Green4Good program is aligned with the circular economy – an economic system of closed loops where raw materials and products retain as much of their value as possible through reuse and recycling – to provide sustainable outcomes.
* Article first published on WestJet.com
