GUELPH, ON, May 8, 2014 /CNW/ - The Co-operators has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year among Canada's Green 30 by Aon Hewitt. The list, which is based on Canadian employees' impressions of their employers' environmental, social and economic sustainability performance, was published in the May 19 issue of Maclean's magazine, on newsstands today.

Employees of The Co-operators recognize and value the organization's efforts to reduce its environmental impact and make positive contributions to Canadian communities. Employee support of The Co-operators sustainability journey is high, with 94 per cent of Co-operators employees who completed the confidential survey on which the Green 30 is based agreeing that The Co-operators is a "socially and environmentally responsible organization."

"As an insurer, employer, community partner and as a co-operative, The Co-operators strives to use its resources to help create more sustainable Canadian communities," said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. "Our organization's ability to be a catalyst for sustainability is dependent upon the ongoing support and commitment of our employees across the country. And their support and commitment have been the lifeblood of our sustainability journey."

Recently, The Co-operators launched the innovative ReClaim program, through which it re-directs salvageable claims materials suitable for donation to local Habitat for Humanity ReStore outlets. The partnership will not only provide an estimated $650,000 a year for Habitat for Humanity, but will also divert approximately 400,000 kilograms of waste from landfills. The program was conceived of by a Co-operators employee who manages home insurance claims. The employee brought the idea forward, knowing of the organization's genuine commitment to sustainability and its openness to doing things in new and better ways.

Detailed information on the sustainability performance of The Co-operators is available in its 2013 sustainability report, which was released today on www.cooperators.ca.

Aon Hewitt is a global consulting company that compiles the Best Small and Medium Employers, and Best Employers in Canada lists. Companies on those lists are automatically considered for the Green 30, as green initiatives go hand in hand with attracting, and retaining employees. The Green 30 is compiled based on staff perceptions of environmental initiatives, and their employers' efforts to consider long-term social, environmental, and economic factors when making decisions.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $36 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.

SOURCE The Co-operators