Happy Earth Day

In honor of Earth Day I have copied a post from my upline Kari that is all about Stampin' Up! and their contribution to the environment. Not only do they make awesome paper and stamps but they are eco-conscious as well, how much better can it get!

Rubber
Rather than dumping their excess rubber in a landfill, they donate it to Courage Reins, a nonprofit organization that provides horseback riding therapy for physically or mentally challenged children. They take the ground rubber and sell it to groups and individuals for use in playgrounds and horse stables. The money that they receive from those sales goes to fund their programs. You can find out more about Courage Reins.

Wood Blocks
The wood blocks in the stampsets are not only created from a renewable resource, but they also engage in a sustainable practice to get them! They work with a tree farm in which the maple trees are grown specifically for the purpose of harvesting wood.

Card Stock and Paper
I bet you already figured out that the paper used for shipping is 100% recycled. But did you know that the card stock included recycled material as well? It's true! SU! cardstock includes recycled paper that's left over from other paper runs, which would otherwise end up in a landfill. The darker the colour of the cardstock, the more recycled material is inside it (who would have thought that Basic Black was their greenest colour?!)

In addition, they work with a paper broker who ensures that the mills used for the Designer Paper and Cardstock engage in environmentally friendly practices. The broker is even certified through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Program for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification (PEFC). These certifications help them know that their paper comes from sustainably managed forests and mills that are taking steps to lessen their carbot footprint. One of their mills even generates its own power!Stampin' Up!'s Buildings. You should see the facilities that Stampin' Up! has, that help them to reduce their environmental impact! First, systems in both the Riverton and Kenab buildings filter any pollutants that may result from stamp production. Second, their buildings were designed with energy conservation in mind. Both buildings have geothermal wells, which help maintain building temperature, cutting down on the use of heating oil or natural gas. In additional, all lights are on sensors and timers, so they don't waste electricity when employees are away from the office. In fact, the buildings were built with MASSIVE amounts of skylights to allow natural light to light the spaces as much as possible - you should feel how airy they are!!

In the desert climate of Utah, it's also extremely important that they watch their water usage. So, they incorporated native, water-wise plants in their landscaping. In fact, in the home office they have wildflowers growing in front of their building instead of grass!! Their sprinkler system is timed to minimize evaporation, which helps reduce the amount of water used to maintain the landscape. Indoors, artifical plants mingle in with the live ones in the area around their atrium water feature. That 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. They try to engage in shipping practices that will requires fewer greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere. First, UPS picks up shipments from the Distribution Center each day during nonpeak traffic hours. This cuts down on gas UPS needs to get orders out the door. You can learn more about what UPS is doing to make their practices moreeco-friendly here.
For stamp shipments from Kenab to Riverton, they 'carpool' with companies who are sending shipments from the Salt Lake City area to Kenab. For example, Sysco delivers food to Kenab and surrounding towns and, normally, their trucks would return empty to Salt Lake City. Instead of driving back without cargo, their trucks return with stamps!

As you know, one of Stampin' Up!'s guiding principles is Change, and with that principle in mind, they are always looking for ways to improve business pactices to do what's right for their demonstrators, employees, community and environment. Aren't you glad that you do business with this awesome company?!