On this Earth Day, when you look out the window or take a walk, think about how special our Earth is. If you are walking or riding a bike take a bag with you to help pick up trash, and remember to recycle and dispose of all your trash properly, oh and Plant a Tree!
I thought it would be appropriate to outline some of the ways that Stampin' Up! is using eco-conscious practices in their business. This information was obtained from Stampin' Success! (a monthly Magazine just for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators, another great reason to become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.)
These days, everywhere you turn, people are “going green"
Here is a quick look at Stampin' Up!'s eco-conscious practices:
RUBBER
Rather than dumping excess rubber in a landfill, Stampin' Up! donates it to Courage Reins, a nonprofit organization that provides horseback riding therapy for physically or mentally challenged children. They take our ground rubber and sell it to groups and individuals for use in playgrounds and horse stables. The money they receive from the sale of this rubber goes to fund their programs. You can find more information about Courage Reins at www.couragereins.org.
WOOD BLOCKS
Wood blocks are not only created from a renewable resource, Stampin' Up! also engages in a sustainable practice to get those wood blocks. They work with a tree farm in which the maple trees are grown specifically for the purpose of harvesting wood! How cool is that!
CARD STOCK & PAPER
You’re probably already aware that the paper we use for shipping is 100% recycled. But did you know that our card stock includes recycled material? It's true! Stampin' Up! card stock included recycled paper that's left over from other paper runs, which would otherwise end up in a landfill. The darker the color of card stock, the more recycled material is in the card stock. (Who would have thought that Basic Black was our greenest color?)
In addition, Stampin' Up! works with a paper broker who ensures that the mills Stampin' Up! uses for our Designer Series paper and card stock engage in environmentally friendly practices. The broker is even certified through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and the Program for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification (PEFC). These certifications helps Stampin' Up! know that our paper comes from sustainably managed forests and mills that are taking steps to lessen their carbon footprint. One of the Stampin' Up! mills even generates its own power.
Stampin' Up! BUILDINGS
Stampin' Up! is very fortunate to have wonderful facilities that help them reduce environmental impact. First, systems in both the Riverton and Kanab buildings filter any pollutants that may result from stamp production. Second, Stampin' Up!'s buildings were designed with energy conservation in mind. Both buildings have geothermal wells, which help maintain building temperature, cutting down on use of heating oil or natural gas. In addition, all lights are on sensors and timers, so Stampin' Up! doesn't waste electricity when employees are away from the office.
Stampin' Up! is located in a desert climate (Utah), so it's extremely important that they watch their water use. For that reason, they have incorporated native water-wise plants in their landscaping, instead of using grass. The sprinkler system is timed to minimize evaporation, which helps reduce the amount of water used to maintain landscaping, indoors, maintain the landscape, and artificial plants even mingle with live ones in the area around their atrium water feature. This allows a lush garden while minimizing the amount of water used.
CARBON FOOTPRINT
Stampin' Up! strives to reduce their carbon footprint
as much as possible. This means that they try to engage in shipping practices that will require fewer greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, to be released into the atmosphere. First, UPS picks up shipments from our Distribution Center each day during non-peak traffic hours. This cuts down the amount of gasoline UPS needs to use to get our orders out the door. You can learn about what UPS is doing to make their practices more eco-friendly at http://sustainability.ups.com.
For stamp shipments from Kanab to Riverton, they “carpool” with companies who are sending shipments from the Salt Lake City area to Knab. Sysco delivers food and supplies to Kanab and surrounding towns and, normally, their trucks would return empty to Salt Lake City. Instead of driving back without cargo, Sysco trucks bring stamps from Kanab to Riverton! Way to go Stampin' Up!
Click here http://www.1stclasscreativity.com/earth-day-special.html
to view my "Earth Day" Special
