The Etsy Sustainability Commission

The Etsy Sustainability Commission (ESC) is a group of more than 70 Etsy employees from departments across the company. Its nine task forces each tackle a different sustainability challenge for Etsy, from waste to mindful materials to carbon neutrality.

The Etsy Sustainability Commission celebrated its first major milestone: setting goals in the areas of Carbon Neutrality, Zero Waste, Mindful Materials, and Sustainable Work. In April 2016, we announced a public commitment to be powered by 100% renewable electricity by 2020 and pledged to work towards running a carbon neutral marketplace.

Photo by Devon Leahy
Some ESC highlights in 2015

  • Our Carbon Neutral Travel Taskforce worked with our finance and accounting teams on a new travel and entertainment policy to integrate sustainability considerations and criteria, such as selecting direct flights or taking trains and public transit whenever possible.

  • The Home Energy Taskforce worked with Ethical Electric to create a financial incentive for Etsy employees in available US states to switch to wind and solar power at home. To date, 30 employees have switched to Ethical Electric, a renewable energy supplier on a mission to support clean air and healthy lives.

  • At the end of 2015, Etsy migrated to a new data center space and phased out older technology in the move. The Zero Waste Task Force took on the job of finding a new home or appropriate end-of-life for all equipment. For the project, we worked with a local Brooklyn-based electronics resale and recycling company that boasts R2, E-Steward, OSHA 18001, and ISO 14001 certifications -- one of the few recyclers with all four standards.

  • In April of 2015, we celebrated Earth Month at Etsy. The Influence and Engagement task force organized Crafternoons for Etsy employees in our Brooklyn, Hudson, Toronto, San Francisco, London, Dublin, Paris and Berlin offices. All told, we planted more than 400 plants!
Photo by Chelsea Snider