Jones Soda Crew Rigs Bikes to Generate Power on Earth Day
Marissa Brassfield — April 27, 2009 — Eco
The Jones Soda team came up with a unique way to commemorate Earth Day—pedal-powered employee electricity generation. They rigged stationary bicycles to recycled car alternators, which in turn provided electricity to car batteries.
With nine employees pedaling at a time, the Seattle-based Jones Soda headquarters was able to power 15 laptops, phones, fax machines, a printer, and a computer server. This means that for the entirety of Earth Day, Jones Soda remained off the power grid.
Implications - Although it may seem impractical and unrealistic, the workers at Jones Soda were 100% behind the idea, bringing enthusiasm to the project by showing up early at work to help generate the electricity. There's nothing like the enthusiasm of employees to get everyone else excited about an initiative.
With nine employees pedaling at a time, the Seattle-based Jones Soda headquarters was able to power 15 laptops, phones, fax machines, a printer, and a computer server. This means that for the entirety of Earth Day, Jones Soda remained off the power grid.
Implications - Although it may seem impractical and unrealistic, the workers at Jones Soda were 100% behind the idea, bringing enthusiasm to the project by showing up early at work to help generate the electricity. There's nothing like the enthusiasm of employees to get everyone else excited about an initiative.
Trend Themes
1. Pedal Power Generation - The trend of generating electricity through stationary bicycles can be disruptive to the traditional power grid, particularly in remote or off-grid locations.
2. Employee-led Sustainability Initiatives - Encouraging employees to take the lead on green initiatives can not only benefit the environment, but also boost employee engagement and workplace morale.
3. Alternative Energy Solutions - As businesses and individuals alike become more conscious of their environmental impact, there is significant potential for innovative solutions in the alternative energy industry, such as bicycle-generated power.
Industry Implications
1. Renewable Energy - Companies in the renewable energy industry can explore the potential of bicycle-generated power and other alternative energy sources for both on-grid and off-grid solutions.
2. Employee Engagement - Consulting firms and HR departments can help companies leverage employee-led sustainability initiatives to boost engagement and morale and create a sense of purpose at work.
3. Sustainability and CSR - Companies in the sustainability and CSR space can showcase examples like Jones Soda's bike-powered office to encourage more businesses to adopt sustainable practices and reduce their carbon footprint.
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