Sustainability Profile: Effective Health Solutions

1. What is your company's brand promise, vision or statement of values, and how does it relate to sustainability?
We are a group of talented holistic practitioners whose aim is to facilitate better health by addressing the root of the problem(s) in the spirit of service, compassion and understanding. We aspire to achieve excellent clinical results with a commitment to community support and sustainable business practice. We understand that a fundamental part of optimal health is the responsible consumption of foods and products that ensure the well-being of ourselves and our planet. Our goal is to make the world a healthier place, one person at a time.
2. How are your products or services environmentally and socially sustainable?
Because we work in a holistic manner looking to address issues of imbalance, we provide services that require a minimal use of resources – usually bodywork, homeopathic remedies (which have minimal packaging and impact on the environment), and acupuncture needles. We also carry products that focus on supporting optimal health using ingredients that are sustainably resourced, organic and biodegradable, which simultaneously are good for your body and the planet.
3. How does your company give preference to suppliers who create positive social and environmental benefits either through their products and services or through their community partnerships?
We always try to buy Canadian, from distributors and suppliers that carry product lines that are in line with our core values.
4. How does your business minimize the environmental impact of its operations?
Effective Health Solutions currently reduces its footprint by:
• Not buying anything new unless necessary.
• Using recycled paper materials whenever possible.
• Re-using sheets per person for certain procedures.
• Using table paper instead of sheets where possible which is then recycled.
• Using digital media whenever possible, thereby reducing paper use.
• Printing forms double-sided.
• Recycling boxes and paper.
• Using unbleached paper bags instead of plastic bags for product sales.
• Using an in-house water filtration cycle, thereby reducing the need for plastic water bottles.
• Using earth friendly cleaning products.
• Encouraging both staff and clients to use public transit to access us - we are conveniently located right by Sunnyside LRT station.
5. How does your business demonstrate ethical business conduct?
Our policy at Effective Health Solutions is to treat others the way we'd like to be treated, not only within our business, but within our community. We are too small to have a Board at this time. We aspire to create an atmosphere where any feedback is always welcome and addressed in a timely fashion.
6. What strategic community partnerships does your company have in place?
Effective Health Solutions offers employment to students whenever possible. We also welcome students of our respective professions to join us for preceptoring. We are a member of Kensington BRZ and are proud to be a founding member of REAP Business Association.
7. What policy or guidelines exist to support charitable contributions?
At Effective Health Solutions, we strongly believe we need to give back to the community that supports us. We have annual Food Drives for the Calgary Food Bank, we do some pro bono work, as well as donate both money and gift certificates to local charitable organizations.
8. How many people do you employ locally?
We currently have three part time employees, as well as six practitioners working in the clinic.
9. In what ways does your business demonstrate its commitment to employee health and safety?
We ensure that our working environment is as toxin-free and health promoting as possible.
10. In what ways does your business demonstrate its commitment to employee development and job satisfaction?
We offer continuing education opportunities that pertain to workplace performance as part of our employment at Effective Health Solutions. We also offer some health benefit plan and some flex hours where possible.
11. How does your business support employees to lead balanced lives and be active participants in their communities?
At the present time we offer healthy lunches at staff meetings as well as kitchen facilities for lunch preparation. Tea and water are available at the clinic all the time. We are flexible around scheduling hours so that our employees may participate in life events that are important to them. And we are in the process of implementing a yoga and meditation practice at the clinic which will also be made available to our employees. There is a staff lounge indoors and out and we encourage our employees and practitioners to take breaks during the workday.