In recognition of Earth Day, April 22, Pennsylvania’s largest credit union, PSECU, Friday reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability through an environmentally friendly business model, green headquarters facility, and support of conservation-focused community initiatives.
PSECU’s business philosophy focuses on providing products and services electronically, which not only reduces operational costs that can then be returned to members by means of low- and no-fee products and services, but also reduces the credit union’s environmental impact.
“PSECU provides a full array of convenient, electronically delivered services, so unlike other financial institutions, you won’t find a physical PSECU branch on every corner. We’re about giving members account access where it’s most convenient for them – in their living room, on vacation, or at the grocery store,” said PSECU President Greg Smith. “Our members love this model, and it has great benefits for the environment, too – just think of all of the construction materials saved by not building branch offices, paper documents that don’t need to be printed and handed out, and gasoline saved by eliminating frequent trips back and forth to the local branch.”
After outgrowing its old headquarters, PSECU took the opportunity to build a new one that truly embodied its commitment to sustainability.
Following five years of discussion and planning, in 2014, PSECU opened its new, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certified headquarters facility – built from 20 percent recycled components.
Click Here to view a video on the environmentally friendly aspects of the building.
The credit union’s 47-acre Susquehanna Township location also includes large spaces of natural habitat that require no irrigation systems and that encourage local biodiversity.
The new headquarters building resulted in 38.1 percent energy cost savings from the use of a natural gas-powered cogeneration heating and cooling system, incorporates water-conserving plumbing features, captures and treats 90 percent of stormwater runoff, and harnesses natural sunlight for 75 percent of its lighting needs.
It also includes a rooftop garden and nature walking path for employees to enjoy.
Supports Community Projects
Additionally, following the ‘people helping people’ credit union philosophy, PSECU strives to support the betterment of the communities it serves through financial education offerings, employee volunteerism, and corporate sponsorships and giving. These efforts include several eco-friendly ones.
“PSECU’s vision is to be recognized as our members’ trusted financial partner,” said Barb Bowker, PSECU Vice President of Marketing and Membership Development. “To us, that doesn’t only mean providing the highest quality products and services. It also means supporting projects and causes that are important to members and non-members alike – like caring for the environment we all share.”
These projects include--
-- April 21, PSECU will also be sponsoring the 2018 Mechanicsburg Earth Day Festival. Held annually in downtown Mechanicsburg, the one-day event includes live music, workshops, vendors, and children’s activities focused on environmental stewardship.
Specifically, PSECU will fund the event’s secure electronic recycling and paper shredding components, which begin at 9 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church located at 135 W. Simpson Street. Last year’s PSECU-sponsored paper shredding collection brought in between 2,500 and 2,700 pounds of paper for recycling, which saved approximately 13 trees.
-- May 1, PSECU will launch its second annual PSECU Gives Back campaign through which individuals vote to determine one of four nonprofit organizations to receive popular vote-based financial support from the credit union.
This year, one of the four highlighted options will be Pennsylvania Envirothon, an organization that combines in-class curriculum and outdoor training to help students to learn more about aquatic ecology, forestry, soil and land use, wildlife, and current environmental issues to better equip future generations to address complex natural resource concerns.
Additional information about PSECU Gives Back will be available on their Facebook page when the campaign opens.
-- Pennsylvania Recreation & Parks Society (PRPS), the principal statewide association providing professional development, leadership, advocacy, and resources for those working and volunteering in the parks and recreation field, is also a beneficiary of PSECU financial support. As an added benefit, PRPS Friend members are eligible for PSECU membership. Visit psecu.com/join to learn more.
“On behalf of PSECU and our more than 850 employees, it’s my honor to reaffirm our commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Smith. “Working together, we can make positive changes today that ensure a healthy planet can be shared with generations to come.”
(Photo: PSECU LEED Gold Certified headquarters building in Harrisburg.)
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