2022 Impact Awards winner: JTI-Macdonald Corp., Jule Chan

A self-proclaimed “tree hugger,” Jule Chan has always been passionate about the environment and knows that individual and collective efforts can create change.

“Caring for the planet and the environment is something that always just seemed natural to me,” says Chan, who saw an opportunity to put her passion into action at work when she volunteered to join JTI’s Environmental Sustainability Agile Team, which focuses on measuring and reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

“I am very excited and proud that I work for a company that takes our environmental impacts seriously and wants to do the right thing to genuinely make a difference and reduce our company’s impact on the planet,” says Chan, adding JTI’s management team has been very supportive in standing behind all the sustainability team’s initiatives and recommendations.

Chan has carved a reputation as a real go-getter, who has taken the lead on projects, such as going paperless, reducing the number of printers and installing a Bevi water machine to eliminate non-reusable water bottles, as well as supporting group efforts to convert eight the 13 forklifts at the plant to electric; implementing eco driving modules for the sales force; a carpooling campaign, public gardens and more.

While Chan is proud of all her company’s sustainability efforts, one really stands out: For the last two years, JTI has partnered with Tree Canada.

“This gives employees an opportunity to get involved in our sustainability efforts and learn about the importance of trees, while spending time with colleagues,” says Chan, adding JTI employees have planted 1,229 trees and counting. “The Earth is really an amazing place with such beauty that gives us so much in so many ways.”

Chan’s employer credits for playing “a key role in JTI’s mission to reduce its carbon footprint, change our employee culture in terms of sustainability, and raise awareness of the issues we all face with regards to the environment.”A