Like you, we want to help make this world a little better. So we practice our craft as sustainably as we can. Here at Bella Figura, we believe in the power of business to do good.
Support environmental causes. Through 1% for the Planet, we donate 1% of sales to environmental organizations who are doing essential work to save the planet: The Conservation Fund, Conservation International, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. And we have partnered with American Forests (the country's oldest citizens' non-profit organization) to help slow global warming through the planting of trees. We encourage you, our clients, to donate a tree to American Forests when purchasing your letterpress samples through our web site. If you plant a tree, Bella Figura will match matches that tree donation (and you can always donate directly to American Forests too).
Reduce our carbon footprint. We are entirely wind-powered through Community Energy. In 2008, we aim to reduce our energy usage in our shop and office by 20%. We purchase bus passes for our employees to encourage public transportation usage. Working with the Conservation Fund’s Go Zero program, we’ve “zeroed out” our business’s carbon footprint by planting trees.
Recycle what waste we produce. When waste is unavoidable because of the printing process, we work to keep our waste out of where it doesn't belong. This includes recycling our photo chemistry, film, paper offcuts, and photopolymer printing plates. Empty ink cans and old rags are kept out of landfills. In our break room and our offices, we recycle and compost our waste.
Use environmental papers, either tree-free or a high recycled content. In our print shop, we use a100% cotton paper made from reclaimed fibers (this paper is made exclusively for us by a 500 year old European paper mill).
Choose inks and solvents wisely. We use only vegetable-oil based and low-VOC inks, and we use low-VOC and citrus-based solvents. These are better for environment and employees' health.
Reuse when possible. We reuse packing materials and corrugated that our vendors send us as well. We donate surplus paper and envelopes once a year to Syracuse Public Schools. We reuse paper scraps for office notes.
Choose recycled materials. We use 100% post-consumer recycled materials in our shipping. We purchase recycled office products whenever available.
Go electronic when possible. We send our invoices electronically. Our faxes come to us digitally. We encourage electronic documents in our office. When printing is necessary, we use Boise Aspen 100 (100% post consumer recycled paper) in our office.
Conserve energy. We turn off lights, computers, and equipment in our office and printshop when not in use. All of our lighting is efficient fluorescent lighting.
We challenge ourselves to do better. Check out the environmental goals of our parent company, Boxcar Press.
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