Sustainability

a YNCU branch situated between two residential homes

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE

ESG is at the heart of our principles, and in recent years we have increased our focus on how our business affects our planet. This shift involved adjusting existing policies, taking new actions, implementing innovative programs, and making new partnerships. We know there is a lot more we can do to be better stewards of our environment, and we will continue to make this a priority.

In 2022 we were fortunate to team up with Sustainable Waterloo Region, which focuses on assisting local businesses with organizational sustainability practices and target-setting. In 2023 we won Sustainable Waterloo Region’s Rookie of the Year Award for our sustainability efforts.

In the spring of 2023, we became a Certified B Corporation – further reinforcing our commitment to being a part of a larger movement to transform the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and our planet. Click here to see our B Impact Assessment Score and learn more about the movement.

HOW IS YNCU MAKING AN IMPACT?

Discover the ways YNCU is trying to make a collective impact on our planet.

EMISSIONS TRACKING

YNCU has begun the intensive process of tracking the emissions from our operations. We are working towards reporting our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions to our membership and the public by 2024. We are also actively working on tracking our Scope 3 emissions.

IT'S ELECTRIC

Our two latest branch renovations in Windsor and Stratford, as well as our Corporate Office in Kitchener, feature new electric vehicle charging stations, and we recently replaced our YNCU corporate vehicle with a plug-in hybrid electric van.

CENTRALIZED WASTE AND RECYCLING

In 2023, we instituted central recycling centers at our locations along with a waste reduction system and an improved corporate-wide recycling program. Recycling efforts were increased, and single-use plastic garbage bags were reduced through central waste stations in all offices.

BRANCH & OFFICE ENHANCEMENTS

YNCU has partnered with sustainability solutions provider Bullfrog Power to choose green energy for our corporate office location in Kitchener. Through the Bullfrog Power partnership, YNCU will purchase 200 MWh of green electricity each year. Our 17 branches have also been converted to LED light bulbs for energy efficiency.

FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS

At YNCU, some of our staff have been able to implement hybrid work arrangements, meaning they can choose a flexible schedule that consists of hours spent working at the office and from home. These arrangements eliminate some travel between work and home, thus reducing carbon emissions.

BATTERY RECYCLING PROGRAM

Batteries dropped off at any YNCU location will be shipped to Raw Materials Company in Port Colborne. Raw Materials Company separates single-use batteries into metals, minerals, plastics and paper. The entire battery is recovered and reused, keeping all materials from the landfill.

PAPER-REDUCTION STRATEGY

Our most recent branch renovations featured a paper-reduction strategy – eliminating brochures and large posters from branch designs and replacing them with digital signage.

In 2023, YNCU introduced OneSpan eSignatures, allowing us to capture signatures digitally, making the loan and mortgage funding process paperless. This initiative has not only expedited our operations but has also contributed to our commitment to environmental sustainability.

- ABOUT THE YNCU GREEN TEAM -

The Green Team champions and promotes initiatives related to the environment and sustainability and shares them with YNCU. They highlight education and provide resources to our staff to promote a sustainable culture in the organization. As a result of our Green Team, we have started and supported:

A staff-planted pollinator garden at Corporate Offices in Kitchener and Sault Ste. Marie.
Pass the Bike staff riding challenge. Going the Distance staff outdoor exercise challenge.
Carbon Cleanse staff challenge – a weekly challenge for staff to take part in to reduce their carbon footprint.
A YNCU micro-forest was planted in Cambridge.
Organized a Staff Clothing Drive to encourage mindful recycling of clothing and reducing fast fashion through secondhand shopping.
Composters were installed at the Kitchener Corporate Office.

We recognize that sustainability is an investment
in the long-term future of our planet and our credit union.

We understand that we only get one planet, and the actions we take as an organization and as individuals will have lasting ramifications for future generations. The more we come together to prioritize the environment and make meaningful changes to our processes, the better off we will all be. Even the smallest of actions can add up in a very tangible way. We are just getting started and learning an abundance of valued information from those with a wide depth of knowledge in this sphere. YNCU is committed to constant education and improvements to be more environmentally minded for the betterment of our shared home.

2024 Your Neighbourhood Credit Union Limited. All rights reserved.

Your Neighbourhood Credit Union (YNCU) is a licensed credit union operating in, and under the laws of, the province of Ontario. Eligible deposits in registered accounts have unlimited coverage through the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). Eligible deposits (not in registered accounts) are insured up to $250,000 through the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) .