April is officially dedicated as Earth Month, giving us the opportunity to celebrate and improve how we care for our beautiful province.

SaskTel recognizes that each of Saskatchewan’s diverse landscapes should be treated with due care and attention.

Year-round we make sustainable and environmentally-conscious decisions for the future of our province through various conservation efforts.

Here are a few ways SaskTel -- and you -- can help contribute to a cleaner and greener province:

Phones for a Fresh Start

Did you know 96% of an average wireless phone is recyclable?

While countless wireless phones contribute to the waste found in landfills each day, SaskTel’s Phones for a Fresh Start program is committed to minimizing our province’s environmental footprint, while also helping domestic abuse survivors.

SaskTel accepts any functional or non-working wireless phones, chargers, batteries and accessories – regardless of the brand, age, model or carrier – and, in partnership with the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS), we recycle them. All funds collected are then used to purchase new phones which are distributed across 21 PATH shelters in Saskatchewan.

Together, we provide brand-new phones for PATH clients; helping them get their lives off to a truly fresh start.

EnviroCare

SaskTel EnviroCare is another program dedicated to making a lasting difference on Saskatchewan’s environment.

The employee-led network hosts lunch-and-learns and volunteers to protect the province’s natural spaces.

The group also raises and donates funds year-round by coordinating recycling drives. In the past, money collected was donated to green projects throughout the province. To-date SaskTel has recycled over 37,000 cans and bottles, totaling nearly $4,000 in donations.

Last year the committee dedicated its time and funds raised to improving the greenspace in Wakamow Valley. Additionally, in celebration of EnviroCare’s fifth anniversary, members adopted five burrowing owls to help conserve the endangered species.

By promoting environmental awareness, SaskTel EnviroCare hopes to engage other community members in protecting Saskatchewan’s environmental future.

Environmental Management Plan

Our Environmental Management System allows us an informed and organized way to manage environmental issues that may arise wherever SaskTel operates in the province.

This system has reduced our environmental impacts, lowered our resource use and waste generation, and has set us up to become a sustainability leader in the province.

Thanks to SaskTel’s eco-conscious programs and activities, as well as the dedication put into following the plan, the company has had the honour of being named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc. for over a decade.

Partnership with Greenwave Innovations

SaskTel’s partnership with Greenwave Innovations allows us to offer energy management and monitoring solutions to businesses across the province.

Many businesses expend more water, electricity and gas than necessary. However, through detailed processes Greenwave is able to identify a building’s energy usage; providing clients with real-time data regarding its consumption.

This data allows clients the opportunity to see how they can save time and money through a more energy efficient approach to operating a business. 

What you can do

• Donate to our Phones for a Fresh Start Program! We have collection bins at SaskTel Stores and participating dealers. Alternatively, devices can be dropped off at any Canada Post outlet where they will be shipped to SaskTel, free of charge. 

• Wildlife plays a big role in Saskatchewan’s environment and it’s important we understand how to safely co-exist with the creatures who also call our province home. The Government of Saskatchewan posted guidelines about How to Protect Yourself and Your Property when dealing with wildlife issues so both humans and animals can continue living safely. 

• The City of Regina offers a variety of Waste Reduction and Recycling Programs to better educate your classroom, workplace or community group. 

• The City of Saskatoon also offers several Community Environmental Programs and are working to make progress in many environmental areas. 

• SaskPower offers many power saving tips and programs for residents and businesses to help reduce our environmental footprint at home and at work.