Celebrating Earth Day: Highlighting Social Wellness and Sustainability in the Workplace

To achieve holistic fulfillment, the Six Dimensions of Wellness help us understand that wellness is interconnected. With Earth Day on April 22, this month gives us an opportunity to highlight social wellness and its connection to our impact on the environment. According to the Six Dimensions of Wellness, social wellness is defined as the contribution to one's environment and community, emphasizing the interdependence between others and nature.

Your organization can make a positive impact this Earth Day and beyond by supporting employee well-being, enhancing workplace wellness initiatives, and improving our planet through thoughtfully integrated wellness initiatives.

You might not be aware of these startling facts about our environmental impact and how small adjustments can make a big difference.

Plastic

Did you know? The annual global production of plastic has doubled from 258 million tons annually in 2000 to 507 million tons as of 2019. The average American uses about 156 plastic bottles each—just a fraction of the 562 pounds of new plastics consumed by the average American annually. In the workplace, plastics quickly accumulate between bottles, bags, and packaging. Shockingly, only about 5% of all plastic waste is actually recycled.

Plastics are harmful to the environment and to our health. An estimated 14 million tons of plastic ends up in our oceans each year—more than 1 garbage truck every 45 seconds. When plastics make their way to landfills, they break down into harmful particles that can contaminate the soil and waterways, entering the food chain. That’s just the beginning of the challenges plastics present, according to earthday.org.

E-Waste

Did you know? E-waste is discarded electronic devices that are unwanted or no longer working, like computers, phones, or televisions. At 7.9 million tons, the e-waste production of the U.S. is the second largest in the world, and e-waste is the fastest growing solid waste stream in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Like plastic, e-waste can be toxic to the environment and to our health. Many of the materials used to create these items are recyclable, but they are simply being thrown away.

Greenhouse Gas Emission From Transportation

Did you know? One of the largest human-caused contributors to climate change in the U.S. is greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. On average, a passenger vehicle emits about 400 grams of CO2 per mile. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that these human-caused increases in greenhouse gas emissions contribute to changes in weather patterns and lead to health problems like asthma, lung cancer, and heart disease. According to the United States Census Bureau, the average one-way commute to work in the United States is 26 minutes. Additionally, less than one percent of people walk to work, and fewer than two percent bike to work.

Workplace Initiatives to Make a Difference

While these facts illustrate the scale of our environmental impact, they also show the significant potential for change. Making small adjustments in the workplace can collectively reduce waste and improve employee health. Here are some solutions to consider, not only to celebrate Earth Day, but also to promote employee well-being and environmental health year-round.

Use plastic responsibly. The term plastic defines a wide range of materials, some of which are recyclable, like the plastic commonly used in milk jugs and soda bottles. However, other types—such as Styrofoam, which makes up about 35% of waste in U.S. landfills—are not recyclable. Understanding the different types of plastic and helping employees identify their recycling symbols by designating recycling bins and displaying signage can go a long way. Additionally, reducing plastic use by switching to glassware, using reusable bags, and limiting packaging when possible can further enhance your workplace wellness efforts.

Reduce waste. In addition to plastic, being mindful of paper products, non-paper office supplies, electronics, landscaping materials, construction materials, and other workplace-related items can provide opportunities to reduce waste. Identifying areas where you can reduce, reuse, or recycle can make a significant difference. For example, consider encouraging employees to screenshare instead of printing hard copies of documents to save paper, or promote the reuse of file folders by simply sticking new labels on them. Additionally, for equipment like electronics, donate or properly recycle equipment to conserve resources and natural materials.

Support sustainable transportation options. To help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to also prioritize employee well-being, consider the following:

• Encourage biking or walking to work if possible.
• Promote carpooling for employees who are comfortable with the idea and live near to one another.
• Offer work-from-home options if feasible.

Consider a clean-up event. To celebrate Earth Day, offer a cleanup event for those who want to participate in spending time in nature, getting fresh air, exercising, and honoring the planet. To encourage greater participation, offer the event as optional and hold it during work hours. Not only will this allow employees to focus on their social wellness, but it also provides a chance to focus on their physical and emotional wellness.

For more ways to invest in our planet, visit earthday.org.

Resources

Plastic Recycling Symbols Infographic (roadrunnerwm.com)

Earth Day 2025 (earthday.org)

Six Dimensions of Wellness

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  Ashton DeMoss

  Wellness Content and Information Specialist

  IFEBP

  As a Wellness Content and Information Specialist at the Wellness Alliance, Ashton is passionate about supporting employee well-being and advancing workplace wellness initiatives. With over 12 years of experience as a certified health coach, Ashton has worked extensively in the worksite wellness sector, empowering individuals and organizations to prioritize health and create sustainable wellness strategies. Outside of work, she enjoys group exercise classes and participating in a monthly book club to nurture both her physical and mental well-being.