Stampin' Up!'s Eco Friendly Practices

 Any of you who know me, know that I am all about recycling and being as ECO friendly as possible. So when I came across this fellow demonstrators article, I knew I had to share it with you. Here's what she had to say;

A look into Stampin' Up!'s Eco-Friendly Practices

A few months ago, I read a great article about how 'green' Stampin' Up! is, and it really stuck with me so I wanted to share.  Without a lot of hype they have been doing good behind the scenes for years.  So many companies could learn a lesson or two about how being green can sometimes be profitable not only for our children and grandchildren, but even to the company bottom line.

Here are just a few highlights:

1. Rubber - Rather than dump excess rubber from stamps into a landfill, Stampin' Up! donates it local parks in Kanab to use in playgrounds. They also donate it to Courage Reins, a nonprofit organization that provides horseback riding therapy for physically or mentally challenged children.  The organization sells the ground rubber for use in playgrounds and horse stables and uses the money to fund their programs.
2. Card Stock & Paper - Not only is our packing material 100% recycled material, but our card stock also includes recycled paper that's left over from other paper runs which would otherwise end up in landfills. The darker the card stock color, the more recycled material it contains...so technically, Basic Black is the new "Green!"  Additionally, Stampin' Up! works with a paper broker who ensures that the mills used for our Designer Series Paper and card stock engage in environmentally friendly practices. The broker is certified through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and the Program for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification (PEFC) and ensures that our paper comes from sustainably managed forests and that our mills are taking steps to lessen their carbon footprints. One mill even generates its own power!
3. Carbon Footprint - Stampin' Up! strives to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible. They engage in shipping practices that will require fewer greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, to be released into the atmosphere. First, shipments are picked up from the Distribution Center during non-peak traffic hours, requiring less gas to use to get our orders out. (More info about UPS policies at http://sustainability.ups.com.)  For stamp shipments from Kanab to Riverton, we "carpool" with companies who are sending shipments from Salt Lake City area to Kanab. For example: Sysco delivers food to Kanab and surrounding towns and normally their trucks would return empty. Instead of driving back without cargo, Sysco trucks bring stamps from Kanab to Riverton!  Smart for the budget and the environment!
4. Wood Blocks - The wood blocks for our stamps are created from renewable resources, using sustainable practices to get them. They work with a tree farm that grows maple trees specifically for harvesting wood.  Now with clear stamps as an option, even fewer trees are being used!
5. Stampin' Up! Buildings - Systems in both the Riverton and Kanab building filter any pollutants that may result from stamp production. What's more, the buildings were designed with energy conservation in mind. Both buildings have geothermal wells, which help maintain building temperatures, decreasing the use of heating oil or natural gas. All lights are on sensors and timers, so electricity isn't wasted when employees are away from the office. In the Utah desert climate, water is an important concern. Native, water-wise plants are used in landscaping, including wildflowers growing in front of the Riverton office instead of grass. Sprinklers are timed to minimize evaporation, reducing the amount of water used. Indoors, artificial plants are mixed it with live plants in the beautiful atrium water feature. This creates a lush garden while minimizing the amount of water used.
   

How cool is that?!!!  I love working with a company that cares...about it's people, about it's customers, and about our environment!