Clean Up - The Aftermath

Shell New Zealand volunteers filled more than 200 rubbish bags as part of their input into the week-long Clean Up New Zealand campaign.

"This is not a beach but a tip", claimed one of Shell's 70 volunteers.

"I know we did a great job, but I could not help feeling disgusted at the amount of rubbish we picked up. I thought New Zealand was a clean and green country until I saw the state of this beach", said another Shell volunteer.

Drinking straws and bottle tops, were the most common items, but amongst the other debris were footwear, hypodermic needles, dead animals and enough pieces from various bikes to build one.

Shell's involvement with Clean Up New Zealand forms part of a Shell initiative called "Living Our Values" which allows employees to demonstrate by personal action, their commitment to the principles of sustainable development.

Shell staff were given an afternoon off work to participate in the Clean Up New Zealand exercise.

Shell Managing Director, John Fletcher, says Shell is often challenged to prove that it really lives it values and business principles, so it needs to be providing hard examples of its social investment.

"At the end of the day, the people who work for Shell are the best testimony to the company's values, so we give them every opportunity to get involved, and really live our values."

Mr Fletcher says Shell New Zealand's contribution to society is not just about committing money to worthwhile causes, but it also about giving up time to become involved in projects which help society.

"Shell is totally committed to contributing to the well-being of the planet and its people. We need to show our commitment to New Zealand's environment through action. Action that will benefit future generations."

Social investment and sustainable development are key pillars in Shell's global business.

"Over the past 10 years, Shell has refocused support to community and social causes, globally contributing more than NZ$130 million a year on socially beneficial initiatives. In New Zealand, the company supports of range of socially responsible projects including the World Wide Fund for Nature, Barnardos, and the Special Olympics."

Mr Fletcher says business depends on a prosperous and healthy society so it is important that companies play their part in nurturing the right kind of environment.

Mr Fletcher has commended the Clean up New Zealand programme, and encourages all businesses to give time to making New Zealand even more beautiful.

They have another three days to do it as part of the Clean Up New Zealand Initiative, although keeping New Zealand clean is a year- round exercise.

Later this month, Shell is globally embarking on a Living Our Values campaign, which will include television commercials that feature real Shell employees discussing their values and how they live them through their work. These will run across cable, satellite and in-flight channels around the world.

Mr Fletcher says Shell New Zealand (SNZ) and Shell Services International (SSI) will continue to participate in causes, which allow staff to contribute directly to worthwhile initiatives.

Last month SNZ and SSI won the Equal Employment Opportunities Award (EEO) as New Zealand's most family friendly company.

ENDS....

© Scoop Media