Our Sustainability Commitment
We have four incredibly powerful words for you: People. Planet. Profit. Culture. Those four make up the quadruple bottom line which delivers impact that thrives today and prepares us holistically for tomorrow. This means that from the design work we create with clients to how we operate as a business, we follow a framework with practices that support people, our environment, our economy and cultural diversity.
Since our founding in 2000, we have continued to evolve and meet like-minded clients where they are today. We’re fired up by social impact and climate change and driven to make a difference in the work that we do.
Positive Change Starts With Us
Sustainability Expertise
We’re experts and leaders in the field of sustainable design. We help define and grow conscious brands that best resonate with the right consumer. We help people adopt behavioral change, shift consumption and create value and opportunities across all streams of sustainability.
Cradle-to-Cradle Design
We use cradle-to-cradle design thinking and always consider the full life cycle assessment (LCA) of a project. We develop inventive approaches by specifying fewer materials, using recycled and non-toxic elements and design for reuse and design for the circular economy.
Purposeful Strategy
We work creatively. We work purposefully. We work strategically. We partner long-term with like-minded socially conscious clients who value what we do. We develop the best sustainable design solutions together that help to establish harmonious and healthy conditions in which all members of society can flourish.
Sustainable Design Partner
We serve as a trusted design partner who can help you navigate elements that range from business strategy and positioning, B Corporation, Organic and sustainability trade certifications to branding, design, sustainable packaging, CPG, direct-to-consumer, ecommerce, natural product, specialty grocery, retail placement and more. We’re with you from the start and as you grow.
Sustainable Print Materials
All of our print materials and packaging are done with 100% post-consumer waste (PCW), chlorine free, recycled, biodegradable, compostable, FSC-Certified or hybrid paper, using low VOC, algae inks or vegetable based inks. We estimate print quantities as accurately as possible to avoid overproducing and print locally at an FSC Certified printer or near a client’s location to minimize carbon emissions.
Sustainable Packaging
We are collaborators of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and we help guide our clients with the best sustainable packaging options through supply chains, recyclability, compostability, design for reuse, circularity, printing inks and packaging with less waste. Our goal is to create print and packaging that is good for people and the planet.
Our Top 10 Sustainability Practices
1. LEED-Certified Studio
We operate out of a LEED-certified and Energy Star rated live/work space that is the first of its kind in the Southeast. The studio’s floor-to-ceiling low-e glass windows allow us to operate with natural daylight most of time to save on electricity. We are located on a greenway too with direct access to greenspace and nature, which is an added benefit.
2. Striving To Be 100% Carbon Neutral
We’re working hard to become carbon neutral to mitigate our impact on climate change. We offset our annual carbon emissions and purchase local renewable energy from NC GreenPower that is produced from wind, solar and biomass sources. We also share one car and try to bike, walk or take public transportation to get around town.
3. (Almost) Zero Waste
We strive for low and zero waste so we are always very conscious of what we consume and use. All of our paper, glass, plastic, aluminum and ink toner cartridges are recycled, reused or refurbished and anything biodegradable is composted. The studio is mostly digital and reduces wasteful print outs by sharing files electronically. Whatever the studio prints in-house, does so on recycled paper, printing on both sides and reusing paper as much as possible.
4. We Believe In Eating Local
We are locavores which means we only eat locally grown food that is in season from our local farmers and locally sourced farmers markets. In addition to running the studio, our founder, Rachel, is an active Piedmont Culinary Guild Tastemaker and works on promoting and educating the importance of sustainable agriculture and connecting local food systems.
5. Recycled & Responsible Purchasing
Our furniture is reclaimed, recycled or purchased from responsible companies and the non-VOC paints and coatings help reduce the amount of air pollutants. We also make our own nontoxic cleaning supplies that include vinegar, baking soda, essential oils and H2O.
6. Good & Ethical Business Practices
We’re dedicated to ethical business practices and adopters of AIGA’s Standards of Professional Practice. We support our community, purchase from fair trade companies and are responsible stewards of our environment.
7. Giving Back & Design With Purpose
We design with purpose. We are change makers, do-gooders and shapers of our community. Part of our business model is to give back and serve with the investment of our expertise, time and 20% of our annual revenue to support worthy causes, nonprofits and social good initiatives that are near and dear to us.
8. Design For Climate Change
We are taking action to reverse climate change. We are committed to reducing the climate impact of our work by reducing food waste, reducing the climate impact of our packaging projects and striving to commit to 100% renewable power as members of the Climate Collaborative.
9. Community-Driven
We are proud to be involved in our community and are sponsors of Sustain Charlotte and the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation. We are also members and supporters of Piedmont Culinary Guild, Char-Meck Food Policy Council, Creative Mornings/Charlotte and the Climate Collaborative.
10. 1% for the Planet
Caring for the Earth has always been at the heart of what we do. To create a better planet and future for all, we commit to giving back at least 1% of our annual revenue to causes that support the environment by being members of 1% for the Planet. Not just on Earth Day. Every day.
