Today, April 24, is No Elevators Day around the world. This initiative encourages people to choose stairs instead of elevators for at least one day, thus contributing to better well-being and at the same time protecting the environment. This year, EIKA Group is joining the initiative in its managed business centers in Vilnius.
“A day without an elevator is a symbolic but meaningful reminder that sustainability starts with everyday choices. By giving up the elevator and choosing the stairs, we not only save energy and reduce CO2 emissions, but also take care of our health by encouraging more active movement. Such initiatives help form more conscious habits, change personal behavior, and create a more responsible organizational culture,” says Jorūnė Juodžbalytė, Head of Sustainability and Innovation at EIKA Group.
According to her, energy costs for transport systems inside a building can account for about 5-10 percent of the total operational energy consumption, depending on the energy efficiency of the building. In 2024, the company calculated its consolidated CO2 portfolio: “It turned out that the main “pollutant” is still electricity – although we meet 70 percent of our energy needs from our managed solar park. Therefore, a day without an elevator can become everyone’s manifesto – in order to reduce not only the company or building in which we work, but also our personal impact on climate change.”
During the initiative, special posters with a playful slogan encouraging the use of stairs were displayed in the business centers “Flow” (Lvivo st. 21A), “EIKA Verslo centre” (A. Goštauto st. 40) and “Live Square” (Gedimino pr. 44A): “For the elevator – day off, for the body – game on!”. However, participation in the campaign is completely voluntary, and access to the elevators remains guaranteed for all business center employees and their guests.
“A Day Without an Elevator” is a campaign initiated by the International Sports and Culture Association (ISCA) and held annually in dozens of countries around the world. This day is dedicated not only to environmental protection, but also to public health – it reminds us that even small habits in everyday life can have a positive impact. Although climbing or descending stairs may seem like a small thing to many, studies show that regular walking can increase endurance, improve cardiovascular function, lift your mood, and even contribute to a longer life expectancy.