Nature has inspired artists
since humans first began expressing themselves. And, as we covered
in last month’s feature story, the
Plein Air movement is based on painters capturing outdoor scenes.
So, part of our commitment to
artists is doing whatever we can to keep the environment pristine, preserving the
natural beauty around us so it can serve as a Muse for future generations who
seek to interpret it through the brush or lens.
Enter our green initiatives.
We partner with brands that share our Earth-friendly values, and we count on the
three R’s - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - to run as green as possible, not just
on Earth Day, but every day.
Take our suppliers, for
instance. We choose mostly American-based companies that manufacture their
materials in compliance with reforestation practices and other U.S. environmental
standards. When we do import products, we hold overseas companies to the
same standards, choosing “green” materials whenever we can, and opting for
recyclable products such as cardboard packaging rather than Styrofoam.
Like all companies, American
Frame generates production waste. But, we limit it as much as possible by
producing naturally low-waste products, such as Nielsen™
metal frames. Unlike wooden frame
stock, which sometimes includes knots and other imperfections that require the
entire section to be discarded, metal frames have more useable length.
Then comes the recycling. We distribute
our metal dust, and acrylic, paper and wood scraps to other companies that use
them during their manufacturing processes.
We look for opportunities to reduce
the energy we use as well. Our main facility has a white roof, naturally
cooling the facility in the summer and warming it in the winter.
To prevent certain materials
from ending up in landfills, we’ve placed large recycling bins around our
offices, and we encourage our employees to deposit used papers into them
instead of in the trash. When we have leftover frames and mats, we donate them
to local schools and art programs. We also have a “Free Bin” full of over-runs
in our showroom.
Some reduction efforts expand
beyond our own brand. We participate in UPS’ Carbon Neutral Fund, certified by the CarbonNeutral Company. For every UPS
shipment we send, American Frame donates 5 cents (for ground shipping) and 20
cents (for air) to environmental projects designed to offset the carbon
emissions from that shipment. That has earned us the CarbonNeutral seal that
comes on our packages. Learn more about projects funded by the UPS Carbon
Neutral Fund here.
So, every time you shop with
American Frame, you’re making an investment in our environment and the beautiful
art it inspires.
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