Client Success Story
From Reuse to Reforestation: Brother International’s Mission for a Greener Future
Brother International Corporation has a strong commitment to sustainability and recognizes the importance of protecting our planet and its natural resources. In April 2024 they launched a company-wide Earth Day initiative, with a vision to empower its employees to take action and make a difference.
“Brother International is proud to partner with Fill it Forward in reducing single-use plastics and empowering employees to make environmentally conscious choices. By using a reusable water bottle, each individual can save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually. Imagine the collective impact when an entire organization commits to sustainability.”
Loren Waldron
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility Lead at Brother
As part of this initiative, Brother gifted all employees a 30 oz Brother-branded insulated and refillable water bottle for use in their facilities. This thoughtful and sustainable gift was paired with Fill it Forward stickers, enabling employees to track their hydration, measure their environmental impact, and unlock donations with every reuse. This small but significant step demonstrated Brother’s dedication to reducing single-use plastics and promoting a culture of sustainability across the organization.
To amplify the program’s impact, Brother International opted for the Enhanced Plan, allowing them to track the collective achievements of their workforce through a customized Private Group. With a real-time leaderboard fostering community spirit and friendly competition, employees felt motivated to actively participate in this environmental initiative.
But Brother didn’t stop there. Taking their commitment further, they sponsored a $25,000 custom giving project with the Arbor Day Foundation, funding two vital reforestation efforts. The first project, the Archie Creek Recovery Project in Oregon, focused on restoring private lands devastated by the 2020 Archie Creek Fire, which burned more than 131,000 acres. By planting young trees strategically, the region can recover faster, returning to its natural forested state. The second project supported reforestation efforts across 600 acres near the Holly Springs National Forest in Southwest Tennessee. This land, previously clear-cut and left unrestored, is being transformed with the planting of pine trees, improving soil and water quality, sequestering carbon, and creating habitats for wildlife. These projects not only contribute to environmental restoration but also underline Brother’s dedication to making a tangible, positive impact on the planet.
The company set an ambitious goal: to achieve 5,000 reuses, translating to 25,000 trees planted. By August 2024, this milestone was proudly reached. Sustained employee engagement led to over 7,000 reuses in less than a year—a testament to the program’s success and the dedication of Brother’s workforce.
In addition to their Fill it Forward program, Brother hosted Earth Day and corporate social responsibility activities to further support the communities they serve. Looking ahead to 2025, Brother plans to integrate the Fill it Forward program into employee onboarding, ensuring new team members are introduced to the company’s sustainability values from day one. They also aim to enhance engagement by incorporating new competition elements to inspire even greater participation.
In 2024, Brother International was honored with the Changemaker Award, recognizing them as a Philanthropy Champion. This award acknowledges those who go beyond borders, actively engaged in philanthropy and collaborative projects. Their ongoing commitment to supporting charitable projects locally and globally showcases a deep sense of responsibility toward making a positive impact around the world. Together, Brother and Fill it Forward are planting the seeds for a greener future—one bottle, one reuse, and one tree at a time.
