Sustainability in the workplace has evolved far beyond recycling bins and energy-saving office policies.
Today, companies are rethinking how they operate at every level, from manufacturing and logistics to product design, infrastructure, and remote work. For job seekers, sustainability and green initiatives have also become an increasingly important part of evaluating company culture and long-term impact.
While every organization approaches environmental responsibility differently, many are finding meaningful ways to reduce their footprint, support innovation, and build more sustainable ways of working.
Here’s how four companies are approaching sustainability through different lenses.
Sustainability through operations and decarbonization
Cummins
At Cummins, sustainability starts at work. We’re reducing environmental impact across our facilities through energy efficiency, waste reduction and water stewardship, while expanding renewable energy and responsible manufacturing practices. Our global teams support decarbonization goals and help customers transition to lower- and zero-emissions solutions. By embedding sustainability into how we operate and innovate, we’re building a greener workplace and a more sustainable future for the communities where we live and work.
Learn more about Cummins.
Helping consumers make more sustainable choices
Zillow
At Zillow, we see “home” as a foundation for sustainability, community, and opportunity. As a leader in online real estate, we recognize that where people live shapes environmental impact, and we’re committed to reducing our own footprint—targeting a 94% reduction in operational emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. We also empower consumers with tools and data to make more sustainable housing choices. Alongside these efforts, we build responsible, inclusive products that promote fairness, accessibility, and trust—creating meaningful impact for our customers, communities, and employees.
Learn more about Zillow.
Reducing waste through product and packaging design
Shure
Sustainability at Shure is a shared responsibility and core value that is embedded across our people, products, facilities, communities, and partners. We are committed to protecting the planet for future generations by reducing our environmental footprint and advancing responsible business practices worldwide. Nearly 90% of Shure’s packaging is recyclable today, with a goal of reaching 100% by 2030. Our durable products and rechargeable battery systems help reduce electronic and battery waste, with a target to save 100 million disposable batteries from landfills by 2027. Across our global facilities, we prioritize energy efficiency, waste reduction, and robust recycling programs. Shure also strengthens sustainability through responsible manufacturing, efficient logistics, and climate action initiatives aimed at lowering carbon emissions throughout our value chain. As S.N. Shure said, “We know very well that absolute perfection cannot be attained, but we will never stop striving for it.”
Learn more about Shure.
Rethinking sustainability through distributed work and efficient infrastructure
Elastic
At Elastic, our sustainability strategy is rooted in our belief in the power of data to solve challenging problems and to make a positive impact on our users and our community. As a company distributed by intention, we inherently minimize commuting emissions and office energy use. When selecting physical workspaces, we prioritize environmental accreditations, operating from LEED-certified sites in Arlington, Bangalore, Tel Aviv, and New York. Furthermore, our innovations directly empower customers to run more efficiently. By offering a fully managed Serverless product alongside continuous cloud optimizations, we help customers automatically scale to demand, maximizing compute efficiency and reducing their overall energy consumption. Underscoring these efforts, the Science Based Targets initiative has officially validated our near-term and net-zero greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Learn more about Elastic.
What to look for in a sustainability-minded employer
Sustainability efforts can look very different depending on the company and industry, but strong environmental commitments often share a few things in common:
- Clear goals and measurable progress
- Sustainability efforts embedded into operations, not just marketing
- Investment in long-term innovation and efficiency
- Transparency around environmental impact
- Employee participation and company-wide accountability
- Products, services, or technologies designed with long-term sustainability in mind
For job seekers, sustainability can offer insight into how a company thinks about responsibility, innovation, and the future. Companies that invest in long-term environmental impact are often thinking long-term about their people and communities, too.
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