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Baroni Cares For Our Earth
Vision
At Baroni we realize that our world is a finite space that everyone is a part of. On a company level, we take responsibility for our environmental footprint and we continually strive to reduce waste and to enhance areas with a positive effect.
Energy Use
Steps have been taken to reduce our energy use with energy efficient lighting, such as sunlight versus artificial light. Other energy saving areas include our hot water temperature and use, as well as continually monitoring our electrical consumption to further reduce our consumption of the Earth’s resources. Computers and monitors are powered down each day and heat is controlled by timers. We are looking to purchase our utility power through green resources.
Conservation
Helping to reduce the effect on our forests, recycled printed-paper used in our office is printed on both sides. Paper that we have used and no longer have a use for is then shredded as package filler for shipments. A photocopier is not used in our offices to encourage an electronic and paper free environment. The use of electronic check scanning equipment eliminates wasteful automobile trips to the bank. Waste from postal mail and envelopes are recycled and put into place for green building materials in our community. All of our plastic, metal, newsprint, print publications, cardboard and aluminum are recycled just like we do with our plastic shipping and component bags too. Older catalogs and marketing materials are shredded for reuse at a local agency that employs people with disabilities. Annual community sales events are held and organically compostable cups are used at such events.
Packaging
We have begun using 100% post consumer recycled paper for our necklace and earring cards. In addition, we are introducing biodegradable poly-bags for our jewelry shipping bags.
Office Supplies
Our company purchases office paper with recycled paper content for printing. Washable toweling and recycled tissue is made available in our lavatories and kitchen to reduce paper use and waste. For printers, we try to use as much recycled and refilled cartridges as possible as well as recycle our used ones.
Purchasing
We work with progressive partners offshore that make a difference in their communities by:
· Promoting economic development with fair labor conditions, fair wages and pension plans
· Protecting workers' rights and health with assistance with insurance
· Advancing equal opportunities for both women and men
· Complying with environmental protection standards
· Choosing recycled, reclaimed, and renewable materials
· Preserving and perpetuating traditional art forms and local culture
· Reducing paper billing with electronic communication
Raw Materials
The use of recycled and reclaimed silver by our suppliers is continually increasing. Our production facility uses a good percentage of reclaimed silver, and we will continue to look for ways to increase this. For casting, our suppliers reclaim wax that has been used to create new molds. For our wood jewelry designs, we use reclaimed wood from furniture manufacturing scraps, helping to reduce our use of natural resources. We recycle inferior jewelry to be reused in new designs. There is a continual focus to source materials that are recycled, reclaimed or not harmful to the environment. The majority of our printing is now using soy based inks.
Shipping
We partner with UPS, a global leader in shipping who is committed to reduce its carbon footprint. This includes alternative energy vehicles, fuel-saving strategies for our air and ground fleets, paper-saving technology and innovative packaging solutions and recycling programs. Additionally, electronic billing is in place for us to reduce paper waste. The use of bubble wrap and peanuts has been replaced with eco-friendly recycled paper shaped into honeycombed expandable wrap. We also use shredded paper from our office paper recycling as packaging material.
Community
Our staff at Baroni is integral to our community with volunteer support in local organizations. We support our community public television twice annually with donated items for fundraising auctions. Donations of jewelry are made to the women’s homeless shelter and domestic violence organizations. Another way to show support involves being active in programs such as the children’s services each year in our community with Pastels on the Plaza – art created and drawn by our own employees. Support is given to local schools and organizations with jewelry donations for fundraising efforts. Funding for Breast Cancer education is provided from each sale of a special collection of jewelry designed for those who wish to support the cause. Additionally, other involvements with the community involve being an active member of our local Chamber of Commerce. Above all, we provide a happy and creative work environment for all our employees. Baroni employees encourage and support environmentally friendly action and ideas to further reduce our environmental footprint.
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