Our eco-friendly initiatives
At Manitoba Blue Cross, eco-friendly initiatives start at the top.
Above our headquarters at 599 Empress Street in Winnipeg, the equipment penthouse holds the brains of the building.
This is where building engineer, Russell Morden and facility maintenance technician, Wayne Hunt oversee the systems that keep Manitoba Blue Cross running efficiently.
"Everything is automatic and based on temperature sensors and pressure sensors," Russ says. "That's where a lot of the efficiencies happen."
Russ and Wayne point to the exhaust system as an example.
"We're always bringing fresh air into the building," Russ says. The building's air is completely exchanged every two hours, with 8,000 cubic feet of air brought in and out a minute, Wayne adds.
This seems simple enough when we're bringing in June's warm, early summer air — but what happens in the dead of winter?
That's where the heat recovery wheel comes in, Wayne says.
Inside the exhaust system, the wheel captures heat energy from the exhaust stream and introduces it to the fresh air stream, he says.
"The heat recovery wheel will warm arctic air to around zero degrees — just from the return air leaving the building that we've already heated," he adds.
The wheel can also be used to cool incoming hot air, and together with a glycol pump, it's easy and efficient to keep the building comfortable no matter the temperature outside, he says.
But the ventilation system is just one part of Manitoba Blue Cross's efficiency strategy, Wayne says.
"After our switch to LED lightbulbs, nearly every part of the old fluorescent system was recycled," he says, "including 6.5 tons of metal and enough cardboard to fill a room to the ceiling."
Even the plastic packaging on the new lights was recycled at a specialty depot in town, he adds.
A serious commitment to reducing waste can be found throughout the company, says Geralyn Cruzat, facility coordinator.
"We're constantly looking at new and different ways we can change our current procedures to be more environmentally friendly," she says.
This includes recycling bins located in all coffee stations and common areas. To reduce waste, each employee is given a reusable mug, and there are no single-use cups available in the coffee stations.
Waste reduction is especially important when it comes to sanitation, Geralyn says.
"Our daily cleaning supplies, like cloths and towels, are gently used by the cleaners and are cleaned for multiple use by our cleaning team," she says.
Where waste is unavoidable — as in the case of toilet paper and paper towels — the facility team uses only biodegradable materials, she adds.
While the organization makes a concerted effort to be eco-friendly in its processes, it also encourages employees to take their efforts outwards, Geralyn says.
"Every year, we participate in the Omand's Creek Clean Up, allowing our employees and their families to get involved in cleaning up our community," she says. "The cleanup always has a great turnout, and the collective help goes a very long way."
Additionally, dozens of employees participate in the Commuter Challenge every year, choosing to ditch their cars for more active or public transportation. In 2018, 32 employees participated, saving 152.54 litres of fuel and 330.33 kg of CO2 emissions.
To learn more about how to bring greener initiatives to your workplace, visit the Green Action Centre.
Manitoba Blue Cross funds warehouse space for Sleep in Heavenly Peace
The Sleep in Heavenly Peace building, sponsored by Manitoba Blue Cross, will provide ample space for bed construction, assembly and storage, streamlining the entire process and ensuring that more kids have access to a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
“A warm, safe bed should not be a luxury – it is a fundamental right. That’s why Manitoba Blue Cross is stepping up to support Sleep in Heavenly Peace for years to come,” says Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “We are providing essential resources that Sleep in Heavenly Peace needs to expand their operations and reach more children in the community. This investment aligns with our own commitment to support the health and well-being of all Manitobans, and we are proud to play an ongoing role in ensuring no child sleeps on the floor.”
This new facility will allow SHP to:
- increase production capacity: With a large, dedicated space and the ability to build beds in the colder months, SHP volunteers can now build and assemble more than twice as many beds, reducing wait times for families in need.
- improve storage capabilities: The facility will provide secure storage for completed beds before delivery can occur while allowing for more efficient and timely delivery.
- enhance the volunteer experience: The workspace will create a more comfortable and efficient environment for volunteers – who are the backbone of SHP’s operations – to build and store beds all year long.
“This generous support from Manitoba Blue Cross is a game changer for us,” says Jim Thiessen, co-president of the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. “This new space will allow us to drastically increase the number of beds we build and deliver, ensuring that more children in our community have a safe and comfortable place to sleep. We currently build approximately 400 beds a year and we hope to now increase that to 1,000. We are incredibly grateful for Manitoba Blue Cross’s continued commitment to our mission.”
Join us in helping local children find comfort: Manitoba Blue Cross holds annual bedding drive
Support this valuable cause during our annual bedding drive. Donate new, twin-sized bedding items, including comforters, pillows and sheet sets for local children. Donations can be dropped off weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Manitoba Blue Cross (599 Empress Street in Winnipeg) until June 20.
Online donations toward bedding purchases can be made at https://bit.ly/50beds.
“Our focus at Manitoba Blue Cross is the health and well-being of all Manitobans. We’re committed to building healthier communities – one bed and one good night’s sleep at a time,” says Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “The outpouring of support that Manitobans showed last year did not disappoint and this generosity helped to create safe havens for local kids. I’m certain the same community spirit that Manitoba is known for will be seen again this year.”
Manitoba Blue Cross holds second annual bed build event
“The bed build event that was held in 2024 to celebrate our 50th anniversary had a profound impact on our staff and myself. Building those beds at Blue Cross Park was incredibly inspiring. We had to turn away staff who wanted to participate,” says Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “That hands-on work really connected us to this important cause, and I believe it also helped us build stronger bonds within our team.”
Employee volunteers from the health benefits provider, along with SHP volunteers, will be constructing 50 beds for local kids on June 6, 2025 at Blue Cross Park.
To encourage the community to support this valuable cause, Manitoba Blue Cross is also holding a bedding drive once again. Donate new, twin-sized bedding items, including comforters, pillows and sheet sets for local kids. Donations can be dropped off weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Manitoba Blue Cross (599 Empress Street in Winnipeg) until June 20.
Online donations toward bedding purchases can be made at https://bit.ly/50beds.