Completion of Single-Use Plastic Initiative Marks New Sustainability Achievement at NSB

NORWAY—Earlier this year, Norway Savings Bank was proud to release the Responsible Neighbor Report, a comprehensive presentation of the ways the bank is creating, encouraging, and overseeing socially responsible and sustainable environmental practices. In addition, the report details how NSB is improving our communities through giving and service; maintaining a culture of inclusion, respect, and kindness; and promoting team member development and good corporate behavior.

In that spirit, the NSB Impact Team, which is comprised of over 40 team members who help the bank be good stewards of financial, natural, and social capital, has completed its Single-Use Plastic Initiative across the bank’s facilities and branches. Settings of reusable metal utensils and porcelain plates and bowls were delivered, with the leftover stock of plastic utensils set to be donated to nonprofits that repurpose the items, including Ruth’s Reusable Resources in Portland.

Along with the Single-Use Plastic Initiative, NSB’s other recent programs include:

CLYNK — NSB has collected over 23,000 bottles and aluminum containers since 2024. Earlier this year, proceeds from the program allowed NSB to make large donations to four local nonprofits (Camp Sunshine of Maine, Pink Feather Foundation, ProsperityME, Junior Achievement of Maine) which were selected by team members.

JUST Water — NSB supplies branches with JUST Water 100% Spring Water, sustainably sourced water in plant-based cartons. Nearly 90% of the materials used to make the cartons start out as plants, creating almost 80% less carbon emissions than plastic bottles.

Docusign — Docusign allows NSB to manage electronic agreements by receiving electronic signatures on the device of a customer’s choosing. Since 2024, nearly 9,000 pounds of carbon emissions have been reduced as a result of the program, totaling around four tons of wood and over 58,000 sheets of paper saved.

Giving Closet —The NSB Giving Closet features a large amount of professional and business casual clothing donated by NSB team members. Men’s and women’s shirts, pants, maternity wear, and more fill the racks with a wide variety of shoes in assorted sizes lining the floor. The Giving Closet is always open, and NSB team members can stroll through the collection and take what they need. By extending the lives of these garments, the Giving Closet promotes reuse and a greener future.

NSB also promotes electronic banking with new and existing customers as a way in which they can assist the bank in its efforts to reduce the amount of paper it uses. In addition, a commitment to solar panels at the Kennebunk branch has helped electricity costs decrease by 42%, and renovation and construction projects like NSB’s new North Conway branch include energy-efficient and conservation features such as LED lighting, energy-recovery units, heat pump technology, three-phase power for HVAC equipment, and a smart ATM.

“We hope many of the worthy initiatives being carried out at NSB will inspire other individuals and organizations to adopt similarly impactful programs in their own daily activities and operations,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of NSB. “Only working together can we make Maine, New Hampshire, and the world, better places to work and live.”