ZSers across the globe are taking action to build a greener future. Whether that means trading car commutes for electric trains or replacing thousands of single-use plastics with reusable alternatives, our people are passionate about reducing their carbon footprint and helping ZS reach net-zero by 2045.
Together, their stories are a snapshot of what sustainability looks like at ZS: global in scope, local in impact and rooted in our values of treating people right, getting it right and doing the right thing.
Rethinking the commute in the Bay Area
Adam Loraine, administrative specialist in San Francisco, is reshaping how people get to work. “One of the biggest sources of ZS’s carbon emissions is commuting,” says Adam. “ZSers are often traveling between clients and our global offices. That distance, combined with long drive times and inconsistent public transportation, meant many ZSers defaulted to solo car trips—contributing to carbon emissions and frustrating commutes.”
Adam and his team set out to find an easy way for ZSers to navigate the landscape of public and green transportation options. They partnered with Commute.org to provide a customized app to San Francisco ZSers, helping them map out more sustainable commuting options. Functioning like a custom Google Maps, the app recommends bus, train, bike and carpool routes. It also tracks commutes, awarding users points for making environmentally friendly choices that can be redeemed for gift cards, swag or donations to local nonprofits.
Leading by example, Adam invested in an electric bike to ride the 10 miles from San Mateo to the South San Francisco office—cutting down his commute time and emissions. “It used to feel like a chore,” he admits. “Now it feels like I’m doing something good for myself and for the planet.”
According to research from Stanford University, switching from driving to cycling can decreases your carbon footprint by 75%. For a round-trip commute of 10 miles, 5 days a week for a year, switching to a cycling alternative can save about 700 kilograms of CO2. This is equal to burning 778 pounds of coal.
While these stats show what’s possible, ZSers are already making a real impact. This San Francisco green commuting initiative was recently awarded a gold certificate from Commute.org, recognizing ZS as one of the region’s most engaged organizations in promoting sustainable transportation.
Saying goodbye to single-use plastics in India
On the other side of the globe, another sustainability success story is unfolding in ZS’s India offices—where Nicholas Saldanha, operations coordinator in Pune, has helped lead the charge to eliminate single-use plastics.
“Every time I walked through the pantry and saw stacks of disposable cups and plastic bottles being used once and thrown away, it just didn’t sit right with me,” says Nicholas. “I knew we could do better—not just for the environment, but for the kind of workplace we want ZS to be. These changes may seem small, but they add up to something much bigger.”
To drive the transition away from single-use plastics, Nicholas partnered closely with ZS’s vendors and service providers to identify practical, sustainable alternatives. From sourcing pens made of recycled paper to replacing plastic ID badge holders with cork-based options, every change was thoughtfully vetted for environmental impact and operational feasibility. “It wasn’t just about removing plastic,” he explains. “It was about finding solutions that aligned with ZS’s values and worked for our people every day.”
By partnering with eco-friendly suppliers and aligning on a shared vision for sustainability, Nicholas helped turn an ambitious goal into everyday reality. ZS’s Pune offices have cut out an estimated 80,000 single-use cups per month, and the team has built partnerships with vendors who recycle unavoidable plastics into useful products like school benches and exam pads for under-resourced schools.
For Nicholas, the most rewarding part of ZS’s sustainability journey has been seeing the ripple effect beyond the office. As ZSers in Pune started embracing the shift away from single-use plastics, many began making similar changes at home. His own family has made the switch, replacing plastic water bottles and lunch containers with durable stainless-steel alternatives. “It’s a small step, but when hundreds of us make that choice, the impact is massive,” he adds.
Where passion changes lives
At ZS, our purpose is to improve life and how we live it—and that commitment extends beyond the work we do with clients. It’s reflected in the way we show up for each other, our communities and the planet.
These are just a few examples of how we embed sustainability into ZS. By empowering ZSers to lead change, champion ideas and take action, we’re not only reducing our environmental impact—we’re also reinforcing a culture where everyone has the opportunity to shape a healthier, more sustainable future.
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