Vista-based personal care products manufacturer Dr. Bronner’s has launched a new employee vanpool program with EDC investor Commute with Enterprise. Through this program, Enterprise Rent-A-Car provides the company with two vehicles to support 10 employees in vanpooling to work daily.
A testament to its commitment to sustainability and employee welfare, Dr. Bronner’s engaged Commute with Enterprise in order to reduce its carbon footprint and support its 360+ employees amidst the region’s rising cost of living.
As part of its core values, Dr. Bronner’s recognizes environmental impact extends beyond the production process. Engaging in Commute with Enterprise’s vanpooling program is a step in reducing that impact as well as aligning with its Earth First principle.
The program also allows employees to save on fuel, maintenance, and wear and tear on personal vehicles and is particularly beneficial for younger workers, lower-income households, and employees from communities of color, who often face the greatest challenges with transportation. As the Dr. Bronner’s facility is in a commercial area with limited pedestrian and public transit access, Commute with Enterprise provides a reliable and affordable commuting option, removes barriers and helps employees, and promotes inclusive growth across the region.
Currently, the program is saving employees $34,200 annually, and 60,240 commuter miles are reduced per year.
By the numbers
- Employees pay $50 per month, compared to $285 for solo commuting (IRS, 2024).
- Emergency ride credit of $500 per car provided by SANDAG covers three emergency rides home per year, per participant.
- One vehicle with five employees commuting an average of 25 miles round trip reduces CO2 emissions by more than 10 metric tons per year compared to individual driving.
- Program aims to save 25 parking spaces with future growth.
“Our partnership with Commute with Enterprise started with a serendipitous call amidst early research into vanpooling programs. This led to months of discussions and planning that culminated in the launch of a pilot program that focused on first-shift production employees. They have consistent shift times and are the most impacted by transportation challenges. This makes them the ideal group to benefit from this initiative.
We encourage other companies to explore similar initiatives and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
—Brennan Ziegler, Dr. Bronner’s
The Dr. Bronner’s + Commute with Enterprise partnership offers a strong example of how the region’s employers can support their staff and drive inclusive growth.
Read Dr. Bronner’s full writeup.
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