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Sustainability Times: how small businesses can make a big environmental impact
Source: Sustainability Times
During this past year, individuals and businesses alike have encountered numerous obstacles when it comes to finances, job security and overall quality of life.
Yet, what the pandemic has taught many of us is that when one slows down and takes a closer inventory on day-to-day practices, it becomes clear how wasteful the human species can be.
The need to take care of our planet has become increasingly more apparent, especially since the days of quarantine when the roads were less cluttered and the air was visibly more clean.
Although there are specific days that people celebrate the Earth, it should be an ongoing initiative to take care of the planet. Fortunately, there are ways – whether alone or with a group – to take steps toward an environmentally friendly personal and professional life.
Small businesses can make a big impact
Let’s keep in mind that nearly 50% of U.S. consumers want to change their consumption habits to save the environment. It’s easy to assume that small businesses, which are classified differently depending on the industry, don’t make a noticeable difference when it comes to sustainability practices, but that can be far from the truth.
Often it boils down to making the right choices when it comes to vendor selection. Sustainability, the capacity for Earth and human civilization to co-exist, is affected up and down the supply chain, so there’s often key opportunities when it comes to selecting the right business partners.
A few examples of what to look for in a business partner when focused on improving sustainability initiatives:
- Sustainable sourcing of materials used.
- Ongoing recycling programs.
- Employee commitment to sustainable business practices.
- Clear mission when it comes to bettering the planet (such as product sold results in trees planted).
- Green business certifications (such as those available in California).
Growth in sustainability practices doesn’t happen overnight, but instead requires a keen focus on manageable steps that can be accomplished by everyone involved. A staff of 15 or a staff of over 1,000 can have and implement comprehensive sustainable strategies.
Teaching young people how to make sustainable choices
While partnering with the right vendor is a key step for amplifying sustainability initiatives, sometimes the most impact begins at the very beginning – teaching the younger generation about why it’s important to care for our planet.
Learning about ways to take care of the environment can start as early as elementary school. Teachers have the special opportunity to positively impact young learners, teaching them how to recycle in and out of the classroom.
The common phrase of “reduce, reuse and recycle” can easily be applied to nearly all lessons, school partners and incentive programs for students. For example, schools can commit to using recyclable school materials and purchasing books, like yearbooks, that can be recycled.
What’s more, partnering with businesses that support sustainability and environmental initiatives. Having this kind of impact early on can have a ripple effect to how one views environmentally friendly practices and products later in life.
When students graduate from high school or college, the motivation for many will be to look to work for companies that prioritize the environment.
No matter the company size or the experience level of a company’s staff, there’s always an opportunity to teach skills that go far beyond the daily work grind. And working toward a more environmentally friendly business model is an ongoing effort.
Small businesses have the advantage of making more personalized relationships with their customers and partners. Whatever the industry, there are ways to creatively showcase sustainability efforts, be it on the website, company e-newsletters or social media.
A smaller business might also have a more direct opportunity to have a representative speak to a school (such as during holidays like Earth Day) about the benefits of recycling.
Whether at home, work or school, everyone accumulates waste every day. It’s never too late to identify and implement more environmentally friendly practices. It’s the responsibility of people of all ages, all over the world, to play a part in making our planet a cleaner, safer place to work and play.
Why it’s important, especially now
The pandemic saw millions of people all over the world transition from working in the office to working remotely from home. For many, this was the first time in a long time that they slowed down enough to recognize the environment around them.
Lunch breaks that once were spent in an office cubicle were spent taking a walk in the neighborhood and admiring everyday nature that was once overlooked.
While the year was challenging, and heartbreaking, it did present society with a glimpse into what the world could be like – taking more care of not only the people in one’s life, but the environment. Taking steps toward a greener, healthier way of life means a dedicated effort to focus on the wellbeing of people and the world.
So, what to do?
One way that individuals and companies of all sizes can take care of the planet is by planting trees. This job is one that’s easier said than done, so smaller companies can easily make a bigger difference simply by partnering with organizations that have the tools and resources already in place.
Planting trees is something that can bring together groups of people that share the same mission of bettering the planet. Small businesses that get involved with vendors that have long lasting impacts, like planting trees, are often a part of a larger coalition of partners working together.
What might seem like a small thing – planting trees – can actually be a part of a larger story, which is making the world a better place and mitigating climate change.
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Treering plants more than 4 million trees to help preserve planet, just ahead of earth day
Yearbook company’s partnership with Trees for the Future results in land restoration and food access.
SAN MATEO, Calif. — Treering, a technology company that offers high-quality yearbooks and affordable prices, today announced that in partnership with Trees for the Future, more than 4 million trees have been planted. Treering’s mission to preserve the history of each school year can be costly for the planet, and that’s why for every yearbook sold, they have planted a tree.
Inspired by the concentric rings from the cross section of a tree, Treering’s name exemplifies the company’s mission to promote sustainability and make a positive impact on our planet. Because of the company’s environmentally-friendly focus, it’s been a proud member of the Green Business Program since 2015, along with over 2,800 other California-based companies. They are the first yearbook company to receive this certification and one of the first education technology companies.
“As an environmentally focused yearbook company, reaching this number of planted trees is a huge milestone for us,” said Kevin Zerber, CEO & co-founder at Treering. “It’s been an honor to partner with Trees for the Future as a way to bring our sustainable mission and environmental roots to life along the way. We also pride ourselves on printing on partially recycled paper and only produce the exact number of books parents buy, eliminating unnecessary waste and resources. When we reduce unused paper products, we save trees and make a more positive environmental impact.”
For more than 30 years, Trees for the Future has been planting trees around the world, planting over 210 million trees in more than 40 countries. Through a farming system called the Forest Garden Approach, Trees for the Future is teaching farmers to restore their degraded lands and lift themselves out of hunger and poverty. Each Forest Garden is home to thousands of trees and provides sustainable food and income opportunities for the farming family.
“Trees for the Future is planting more trees this year than ever before. Despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic and a changing climate, support from partners like Treering makes lasting change possible,” said John Leary, executive director at Trees for the Future. “We’re grateful for the ongoing support from Treering and are excited to share this 4 million tree milestone together.”
Each tree that is planted through the partnership is planted in the name of a school, which gives the schools a lasting legacy for hundreds of years to come. Additionally, each school that purchases yearbooks through Treering is provided with a badge to put on their school website as a way to honor their environmental contribution.
For more information about Treering, visit https://www.treering.com/. For more information about Trees for the Future, visit https://trees.org/.
About Treering
Established in 2009, Treering is a technology company that offers high-quality yearbooks at affordable and transparent prices by updating the outdated yearbook industry to allow for inclusivity, flexibility, and sustainability. For more information about Treering, please visit: treering.com.
About Trees for the Future
Trees for the Future is a registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit working to end hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation through agroforestry training. Trees for the Future has planted more than 210 million trees around the globe and has helped more than 200,000 people. Learn more at trees.org.
El paso herald-post: local school wins 2nd in national yearbook contest
Staff Report | El Paso Herald-Post
Del Norte Heights Elementary Takes 2nd place in National Yearbook Contest
Officials with Treering announced Thursday that Ysleta ISD’s Del Norte Heights Elementary School took second place in the nationwide #TreeringMemoriesMatter Challenge.
The 2nd place honor was awarded to the Del Norte Height’s staff for their yearbook spread celebrating a 2020-21 school year staple: fashionable face masks for socially distant learning.
Earlier this year, Treering – a digitally produced, published-on-demand yearbook company for K-12 schools – called on all its customers’ editors to send in a 2020-21 yearbook spread that shows the uniqueness of the year and students overcoming the challenges it’s brought for the #TreeringMemoriesMatter Challenge.
After weeks of judging from a panel of Treering team members, the spread won the school a $50 Amazon gift card, 5 free yearbooks for their school, and an art block of their award-winning spread for display.
“Del Norte Heights couldn’t have predicted that their students would bring high fashion to the classroom via face masks this year. That’s why their submission to #TreeringMemoriesMatter showed off all the amazing face mask designs that helped students learn safely and in style,” Treering officials shared via a news release.
Denver gazette: centennial school wins national yearbook competition
Elementary School in Centennial Wins National Yearbook Competition
Hannah Metzger | The Denver Gazette
Lenski Elementary School in Centennial has been named the first-place winner of the Treering Memories Matter Challenge, a national yearbook spread competition.
Treering, a California-based company providing digital printing and customization for K-12 school yearbooks, created the competition to encourage yearbook staffs to showcase the uniqueness of the 2020-21 school year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Preserving our children’s memories is so important and this year it was even more so from a journalistic standpoint,” said Kristina Cruz with Treering. “Given the various COVID safety protocols in schools, parent volunteer’s and teacher’s work was made even more challenging.”
Lenski’s winning yearbook spread showcased students celebrating Valentine’s Day with their pets, as they were not able to celebrate in-person with their classmates this year.
During remote learning in February, Lenski students exchanged the photos of themselves with their pets from the spread, in lieu of handing out Valentine’s Day cards.
“Their yearbook spread was not only beautifully designed but did a great job representing the uniqueness of how their community decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day,” Treering’s announcement said. “What other year would our pets make the yearbook?”
For winning first place, Lenski received a $100 Amazon gift card, 10 free yearbooks and an art block of their award-winning spread to be displayed in the school.
Second place went to Del Norte Heights Elementary in El Paso, Texas. Plumas Charter School in Quincy, California and Pelham High School in Pelham, New Hampshire tied for third place.
Nearly four dozen other elementary, middle and high schools from around the country also received honorable mentions for their yearbook spread submissions.
Lenski Elementary School is a public school within the Littleton Public Schools district, serving students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Lenski was designated as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education in 2013 and 2019.
El paso times: elementary school yearbook page wins national contest
YISD Elementary School Face Mask Yearbook Page Wins Prize in National Contest
Maria Cortes Gonzalez | El Paso Times
Del Norte Heights Elementary students have a reason to smile underneath their face masks.
The school won second place in a nationwide challenge to submit a yearbook spread to showcase the uniqueness of the 2020-21 school year and overcoming its challenges.
The contest was sponsored by Treering, a published-on-demand yearbook company for K-12.
The school in the Lower Valley submitted a layout spread of numerous kids wearing their face masks in style. The pages were dubbed "Fabulously Fashionable Face Masks."
Elyse Hernandez, the school's instructional technology support who creates the yearbook, said the theme for the yearbook came to her pretty easily.
"The title is 'A Year Like No Other #COVID-19' because it was " she said.
Hernandez said her idea for the face mask layout came from thinking of ways to feature the students despite the challenges of teaching remotely.
"A yearbook really documents a year in a student's life," she said. "And it was a year when everyone had to wear face masks so let's celebrate that."
The school won a $50 Amazon gift card, five free yearbooks for their school, and an art block of their award-winning spread for display.
Hernandez hopes the special recognition encourages more parents to buy the yearbook for their children. The book costs $25 and includes two pages that parents can personalize with their kids' pictures.
Treering announces four winners of the #treeringmemoriesmatter challenge
San Mateo, Calif.: Today, Treering is pleased to announce the winners of our #TreeringMemoriesMatter challenge. Yearbook editors from across the US submitted their favorite yearbook spreads from the 20-21 school year.
First, we want to send a big thank you to everyone who participated in our challenge and helped make it a success.
“This inaugural challenge was prompted by our empathy for our yearbook editors this year,” said Kristina Cruz, Head of Marketing, Treering. “Preserving our children’s memories is so important and this year it was even more so from a journalistic standpoint. Given the various COVID safety protocols in schools, parent volunteer’s and teacher’s work was made even more challenging. We wanted to celebrate these editors’ hard work as well as their student’s memories.”
A special congratulations to:
First Place: Lois Lenski Elementary in Centennial, Colorado
$100 Amazon Gift Card, 10 Free Yearbooks for their School, & An Art Block of their Spread
Their yearbook spread was not only beautifully designed but did a great job representing the uniqueness of how their community decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day. What other year would our pets make the yearbook?
Second Place: Del Norte Heights Elementary in El Paso, Texas
$50 Amazon Gift Card, 5 Free Yearbooks for their School, & An Art Block of their Spread
As facemasks became the new normal to attend school, the stylish covering became the norm. The photos of those “fashionable facemasks” captured the beauty of each child’s personality, and this spread captures the year beautifully.
Tied for Third Place: Pelham High School in Pelham New Hampshire
$25 Amazon Gift Card, 3 Free Yearbooks for their School, & An Art Block of their Spread
This verbal and visual spread encompasses the health and safety measures that had to be followed to be in school along with a timeline of events. These “Pythons in a pandemic” will be grateful to see this honest reporting of their school experiences this year for years to come.
Tied for Third Place: Plumas Charter School in Quincy, California
$25 Amazon Gift Card, 3 Free Yearbooks for their School, & An Art Block of their Spread
Laid out and designed beautifully, this yearbook spread does an extremely honest and thoughtful job covering the wildfires, and how the community came together to “weather the storm.”
Our panel of judges, which included members of Treering’s marketing and support teams, would also like to thank and congratulate the following runners up:
Alliance MIT
Canyon View Elementary School
Cedar Brook Academy
Chief Joseph School of the Arts
Clarksville High School
Classical Conversations of Greater Covington
Cornerstone Academy
Crane Middle School
Del Norte Heights Elementary School
Emma C Chase
Evergreen Valley High School
Garden County Schools
Garrett High School
GECO Homeschool Group
Grande Park Elementary
Harlowton High School
Hydesville School Elementary
Johnston Senior High School
Lakeside Christian School
Langston Hughes High School
Lyle School
Mexico City Christian Academy
Mount Vernon Christian
Mountain View Middle School
NB Cook Elementary
Nebbie Williams Elementary
North Hampton High School
Oak Tree and Applegarth Elementary Schools
Olympic View Elementary
Oneida Baptist Institute
Pacific Horizons School
Philander Lee Elementary School
Pottsgrove Middle School
Presidio Middle School
Rita Ledesma Elementary School
Riverside High School ‘70
Seashore Middle Academy
Skyview School
Tomahawk Elementary Olathe
USC Hybrid High Prep
Valley High School
Virginia City Middle School
White Twp PTO
Woodmont Elementary PTA
World Compass Academy
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Established in 2012, Treering, is a technology company that offers high-quality yearbooks at affordable and transparent prices by updating the outdated yearbook industry to allow for inclusivity, flexibility, and sustainability.
Eschool news: inclusivity - ensuring all students count
It’s important to document the school year in a way that includes equal representation for students with special needs
No matter age or ability, it’s critical that schools make yearbook inclusivity a priority for all students. Parents often struggle to find inclusive environments for kids with special needs, which limits abilities to capture memories outside of the home or secure a space in traditional memory books like yearbooks or other school representation.
In-person schooling can be challenging for the special needs population, and virtual learning exacerbates common barriers for families. Nearly seven million students have a disability, which oftentimes lowers self-esteem and hinders socializing and building friendships with peers.
Whether it be attention deficit disorder or having a diagnosis like autism, where a child may struggle with communication and have repetitive behaviors, disabilities can position students to not be seen in the same way as other students. This not only creates an unfair advantage for these students, but it is sometimes a difficult road for parents, too, as most parents and guardians want their child to feel included or “part of the group.”
The value of inclusivity
Students with disabilities make up 14 percent of national public school enrollment but can often be overlooked when it comes to traditional school activities. Inclusion is only truly effective when educators believe in the value of an inclusive educational model and choose to collaborate internally and with parents to get the support they need.
While virtual learning has altered the typical meaning of educational inclusion–where students spend most, if not all, of their time in the classroom with kids of all abilities–virtual learning has opened the doors to how technology can maximize students’ access to learning. Be it customizable yearbooks or “being in a classroom on Zoom,” all students have been able to experience learning together, which is a powerful thing.
It’s critical that typically developing students understand that although there may be differences between themselves and the special needs population, there are also a lot of similarities. All students benefit from engaging with peers and being in a system that values equity and inclusivity in education. Equity recognizes every students’ unique gifts and different needs. And the beauty of this past year, especially with the heightened use of technology, is that schools are tapping into new and innovative ways to capture the silver lining moments of all students–including more creative and inclusive representation in annual yearbooks. This commitment to inclusion is a gamechanger for students with disabilities and gives parents the peace of mind knowing their child is welcomed and represented alongside their peers.
Provide inclusivity in classes and extracurricular activities
Regardless of the timeline for when more in-person classes will take place, inclusion in any sort of classroom setting or within extracurricular activities is important. When typically developing students work alongside students with a disability, it creates immediate awareness around the fact that everyone learns differently and might require modifications or accommodations.
Mentor programs are one way for students to work alongside peers who may experience developmental delays. This kind of setup enables students of all abilities to feel seen and encouraged to learn. Inclusion in elective classes like art or music is also a way for typically developing students to serve as a buddy and learn about others’ abilities. Some children may have visual or hearing impairments, too, so it’s important to get a thorough understanding of those in a classroom and identify ways to promote a safe, encouraging environment for everyone.
Working with students with special needs teaches important life lessons, including empathy. One doesn’t need to hold a certain degree or achieve a specific accolade in order to meet the needs of others. Some students simply require more specialized education and care in order to reach their full potential.
Capture memories in a customizable, inclusive yearbook
Some companies can capture every students’ memories in a yearbook that reflects the school and makes each and every student the star of their own book. Through customizable yearbooks like this, even a non-traditional school year can be documented with students in makeshift classrooms at home, tuning into Zoom lessons, doing homework with their pet at their side or enjoying an outdoor recess with neighborhood kids.
Traditional yearbooks often only include a few photos of each student, and many students end up only included with a single school portrait. Students with disabilities are often overlooked or not represented in as many photos as the students who are involved in sports, clubs, and educational accomplishments. This is often unintentional, but is common, nonetheless. It’s critical that all students see themselves represented in the yearbook, a long-standing tradition for K-12 schools. Customizable yearbooks create more inclusivity and collaboration between teachers, parents and students without hidden bias.
While it must be an ongoing effort, it’s possible and necessary that schools take steps to ensure that all students feel included and that their school memories are positive ones – whether in-person or virtual.
NBC: teacher creates innovative pandemic yearbook
March 26, 2021
Joy Halverson, a Physical Education teacher at Journey Charter School in Aliso Viejo, has gone out of her way to capture the memories of this school year. Instead of school portraits, she takes screenshots of all her students. The yearbook is a true reflection of the year, and using Treering allows a lot of flexibility for students and parents to make the yearbook their own.
See the full video on NBC Los Angeles
Treering joins california green business program
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Planting a tree for every yearbook sold
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Partnering with a green-certified printer to produce our yearbooks on recycled paper
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Recycling and composting as many materials in our office as possible
Treering joins apple, google, & others in safeguarding student privacy
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Not sell student information
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Not behaviorally target advertising to students
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Use data only for authorized education purposes
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Not change privacy policies without notice and choice
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Enforce strict limits on data retention
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Support parental access to, and correction of errors in, their children’s information
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Provide comprehensive security standards
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Be transparent about the collection and use of data
Treering is a finalist for the 2014 red herring top 100 award
National school boards association announces treering one of the edtech innovation winners
The 2014 class will be featured in an exclusive area of the exhibition and participate in a Tech Innovation Showcase panel during the NSBA Annual Conference in New Orleans, April 5-7, 2014. Later this spring, they will be featured in NSBA’s magazine for school leaders, American School Board Journal, and participate in a webinar hosted by NSBA’s Technology Leadership Network (TLN).
TLN, launched in 1985 by NSBA and its state school boards associations, helps advance the wise use of technology in K-12 education to support learning, operations, and communications.