Corporate Sustainability: U-Haul Earns Tree Canada’s Eterne Award

Dec 28, 2017

CALGARY, Alta. — The prestigious Eterne Award is bestowed upon companies that support Tree Canada and exemplify the very best in environmental stewardship. The award trophy travels year to year among these recognized pioneers of corporate sustainability. U-Haul was honored recently at the 2017 Tree Canada Eterne Award ceremony in Calgary for its efforts during the 2016 calendar year.

Representatives from U-Haul, Tree Canada, Calgary Sister Cities and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce were on hand. Business leaders and community members also attended.

“U-Haul Canada is honored to accept this award and is proud of the great benefits that our partnership with Tree Canada has created for Canadian communities,” said Vern Jardine, U-Haul Marketing Company President of Southern Alberta.

“Across the nation, we strive to put forth the idea to our customers that with their help, we can create a sustainable future for all. We are proud of our customers who continue to support tree planting with their donations at check out.”

U-Haul Chief Sustainability Scientist Dr. Allan Yang, Area District Vice President Jennifer Anstett, and Tree Canada President Michael Rosen joined Jardine in unveiling the award at the ceremony.

Everlasting Impact

Crafted from a section of an ancient tree which grew in the Solomon Creek Valley in Alberta in 2240-2400 B.C., the Eterne Award represents vitality and the eternal nature of trees and forests.

Over the years, U-Haul Canada and its customers have demonstrated a strong commitment to these resilient forest ecosystems. Since 2011, more than 172,000 customers at U-Haul locations across Canada have contributed $371,412 to plant 40,703 trees to date. About 11,250 of those trees are just outside of Calgary. These trees will also absorb nearly 45,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide throughout their lives, providing cleaner air to breathe.

Jardine continued, “This program has been extremely successful and we plan to continue to raise awareness and promote the importance of tree health and planting in the communities where we work and live. Thank you to Tree Canada for the honor and recognition.”

Expanding Corporate Sustainability

Dr. Yang also highlighted a new program that will further benefit customers and communities in Canada. U-Haul recently expanded its truck-sharing business to offer access to moving trucks and cargo vans every hour of every day through U-Haul Truck Share 24/7. This convenience, supported by proprietary online vetting technology, will further the sustainability goals of Canadian cities to reduce traffic congestion, support small businesses and increase shared-use transportation options. That, in turn, will result in reduced emissions and increased resiliency of the communities served.

As the trees planted through this partnership grow, they will become forests. Consequently, those forests will offer a habitat for wildlife, preserve natural ecosystems, support outdoor recreation and beautify communities. They also improve the quality of the environment.

Furthermore, 100 percent of all contributions go directly to Tree Canada for the planting and care of native trees. As the industry leader in DIY moving and self-storage, U-Haul is proud to demonstrate the best in environmental stewardship. And that means committing to a sustainable future.

To learn about U-Haul Company’s additional sustainability initiatives and awards, click here.

More articles like this one…

What’s New

Veterans Day 2023: U-Haul Shows Support in 3 Parades

Veterans Day 2023: U-Haul Shows Support in 3 Parades

From the Big Apple to the Valley of the Sun, U-Haul Team Members honored our nation’s heroes by participating in three Veterans Day Parades on Nov. 11. The ongoing U-Haul commitment to veterans -- and support of Veterans Day parades to honor them -- derives from the...

U-Haul Bakes Pizzas with Purpose at St. Vincent de Paul

U-Haul Bakes Pizzas with Purpose at St. Vincent de Paul

What do delicious homemade pizza and Team U-Haul have in common? They were both recently found at St. Vincent de Paul’s main campus in Phoenix during a volunteer event where U-Haul Team Members and other volunteers prepared 150 pies for people in need of food. For...

Serving Meals at André House Brings Joy to U-Haul Volunteers

Serving Meals at André House Brings Joy to U-Haul Volunteers

Located in a bustling section of Phoenix, André House serves hundreds of people each day who are currently experiencing homelessness. The nonprofit generously provides a variety of resources to help people get back on their feet, including free hot meals, drinking...

U-Haul Makes Meals to Help Families at Ronald McDonald House

U-Haul Makes Meals to Help Families at Ronald McDonald House

For more than 37 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central and Northern Arizona has provided a “home away from home” for families traveling to the Valley to obtain medical care for their children. At the Roanoke House in Midtown Phoenix and other...

U-Haul and VVA Unite to Serve Veterans

U-Haul and VVA Unite to Serve Veterans

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), an organization founded in 1978 to support and advocate for veterans of the Vietnam War, serves by the motto “never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” VVA’s goal is to promote the well-being of all veterans and...