Despite the challenges of being in a hard-to-carbonize sector, Delta has already achieved significant results towards their ambitious sustainability goals, like reducing single-use onboard plastics by nearly 5 million pounds annually. Locally, employees at the Cincinnati Engagement Center formed a sustainability business resource group, Green Up, aimed to drive local sustainable actions and engage employees.

The Green Up team orients all new employees about sustainability and regularly educates employees through events and monthly themed newsletters. A good example of the Green Up team’s innovative sustainability engagement initiatives is their rooftop garden. To create the garden and promote repurposing items, they set up greenhouses made from plastic jugs to start seeds and are using heat-treated pallets to build A-frame gardens with a base created from a repurposed crate. Moreover, the installation of a rain barrel and compost tumbler serves to support a circular garden ecosystem while providing educational opportunities for employees. The gardening club is also working with the Heath & Wellness team and onsite mental health coach to help employees understand the health benefits or gardening and being in nature.