Environmental Impact

At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, we recognize that in order for people to remain healthy, they require a healthy environment. Issues such as cleaner streets and public spaces, access to gardens and parks, cleaner air and water, and affordable, nutritious food are linked to the health of our members and the future livelihoods of our communities.

Through our Environmental Impact program, we seek to improve the health of the communities where we live and work through:

• Measuring and reducing our own environmental footprint
  
  
• Actively engaging members and associates in green practices
  
  
• Providing innovative tools, services, and partnerships that encourage more sustainable living

With our mission squarely focused on the health of the communities we serve, we feel it's our duty to become a sustainable company. In support of this vision, we have set ambitious company-wide environmental goals:

• Reduce our absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 15 percent by 2015 (against a 2010 baseline)
  
  
• Reduce our absolute waste sent to landfills by 15 percent by 2015 (against a 2010 baseline)
  
  
• Reduce our office paper use by 15 percent in 2012 (year over year)

These goals will guide us as we seek to improve the performance and efficiency of our facilities and operations, engage our associates through our grassroots green@blue program, implement important new policies and systems, and seek out sustainable innovations that reduce our environmental impact, while helping us better serve our members and communities.

For further information on our environmental sustainability efforts, please
contact Kyle Cahill.