Illustration of a huge tree with animated leaves falling and a farm worker at its base watering the roots.

Illustration by Chris Gall

LET’S GO GREEN!

ESWA’s Track Record of Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship

Eastern Service Workers Association (ESWA) has been committed to “going green” since our inception in 1977 (before it became a corporate catch-phrase). As a grassroots organization, we have always carefully husbanded our resources. Low-income households, of course, have extensive experience in trying to make each dollar stretch as far as possible, while trying to survive on starvation wages.

The richest 10% of the population produces nearly 48% of CO2 emissions, while the poorest 50% contribute only 12%. We are committed to being good stewards of our resources and our planet, and demand our government reverse the startling and destructive practices that are destroying our environment and killing us. ESWA recycles, reuses and repurposes everything from coffee cans to clothing, cars to furniture, and home goods to office supplies. Join us to find out more!

Darkened aerial view of ESWA's neighborhood with golden rays shining upon the rooftop-mounted solar panels of the ESWA office.

SOLAR PANELS

ESWA installed 28 rooftop-mounted photovoltaic solar panels in 2016 to reduce dependency on fossil fuels that worsen global warming.

Photo of electric car charger mounted against the side of ESWA's building.

CHARGING STATION, ELECTRIC AND HYBRID VEHICLES

ESWA’s office has an electric vehicle charging station to serve needs of volunteers with electric and hybrid vehicles to bring members to donated dental appointments, pick up volunteers and more. We are actively seeking donated hybrid and electric vehicles, which will allow our solar panels to power 100% of the driving we do, replacing fossil fuel use.

Image of LED bulb.

LED LIGHT BULBS

ESWA uses only LED bulbs to reduce electricity consumption and save on energy costs.

Digital illustration of a green recycle symbol with plants growing on and between the arrows.

REDUCE, REUSE, REINVEST WITH ESWA

All furniture in ESWA’s office is provided by members and supporters, saving it from a landfill. ESWA uses both sides of paper, distributes gently used clothing and carefully husbands its resources to best serve its membership.

Graphic of the 17 SDGs.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted unanimously by all 193 member states of the United Nations on September 25, 2015, including the US, as the Agenda for all countries to prioritize and achieve cooperatively by 2030, to ensure that all human beings can fulfill their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.

The 2030 Agenda is consistent with the principles and programs ESWA has fought for since our inception and our battle against the increasing poverty and lack of living wages in our community. ESWA endorses these goals and promotes them to make them known to our volunteers, supporters and friends of labor throughout the area.

The March 4, 2025 official rejection and denunciation of the SDGs by the US government does not deter ESWA’s resolute endorsement of the SDGs, in solidarity with the rest of the 192 member nations of the UN that adopted this agenda in 2015, as necessary for the advancement of humankind.