Celebrating Earth Day at PDMS

Today is the 54th Earth Day! But what is Earth Day and how did it come to be? 

In this article, Hannah Williams, our Senior Marketing Executive and a member of our Sustainability Committee, explores the history and importance of Earth Day and highlights how PDMS is contributing to environmental sustainability. 

What is Earth Day? 

Earth Day is a day dedicated to appreciating the natural beauty of our planet and raising awareness of ways to conserve it for future generations. Celebrated on 22 April every year, Earth Day serves as a reminder of the environmental issues our planet faces and encourages us all to take action. 

Originating in 1970 as a grassroots movement, Earth Day has grown into a global phenomenon. It began with activist Denis Hayes and Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson who wanted to raise awareness of environmental issues such as pollution, pesticides and toxic drinking water. The date of 22 April was chosen to appeal to students, falling between spring break and final exams. This timing aimed to mobilise the youth, who played a significant role in the early days of the movement. 

The first Earth Day saw an impressive turnout, with 20 million Americans - 10% of the population at the time - participating in demonstrations. This event also achieved its aim of getting green issues onto the national agenda as it led to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 and paved the way for environmental legislation including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and more.

Since 1970, Earth Day has grown into a time for communities to come together to celebrate nature and advance climate action and sustainability. Over the last fifty years, the movement has grown and now involves over one billion people in nearly 200 countries.

Earth Day 2024 

This year's Earth Day theme is 'Planet vs. Plastics' which focuses on raising awareness of the health risks of plastics and advocating for their reduction. With more than 50 countries, including the UK, calling for an end to plastic pollution by 2040, the 2024 Earth Day aims to accelerate efforts towards a cleaner, plastic-free planet.

Together, we can make a difference and there are a number of simple ways you can get involved: 

• Reduce plastic consumption and seek eco-friendly alternatives
• Organise or participate plastic clean-ups in your local area
• Support nature by installing bird and bee houses in your garden
• Spend time in green spaces to reap the physical and psychological benefits of nature
• Plant trees to contribute to reforestation efforts
• Practice energy conservation by turning off electronics when not in use
• Donate to environmental causes

Earth Day at PDMS 

At PDMS, we recognize the importance of environmental stewardship and are committed to making a positive impact on the planet. Through sustainable practices such as recycling, solar panels, work-from-home programs, and renewable energy initiatives, we strive to reduce our environmental footprint.

PDMS is contributing to a greener future by: 

• Participating in the Island's first carbon credits project to offset emissions
• Generating energy through our solar panels
• Planting 370 trees through Treekly which encourages our staff to exercise while making a positive impact on the environment
• Maintaining our ISO 14001 environmental certification
• Shifting to digital correspondence and going digital where possible
• Recycling over 3900L of paper, metal and plastic
• Offsetting our unavoidable carbon emissions
• Providing our team with seed packets to plant at home, fostering biodiversity
• Educating and learning from industry events to continually improve and implement best practices

This Earth Day, let's come together to celebrate our planet and take meaningful actions to protect it for generations to come. Whether it's through individual efforts or organisational initiatives, every step towards sustainability counts. Happy Earth Day!

To find out more about PDMS sustainability initiatives, visit our Carbon Reduction page