As the planet warms, pollution fills the air and natural resources are exploited, making eco-friendly decisions both big and small becomes more and more important every day, especially for business owners. At Compass Paper Co., we have and will always continue to work to make responsible choices and pursue business practices that help alleviate our impact on the environment and our planet. As a company that was built on a love for the outdoors, we believe it is our responsibility to do everything we possibly can to protect the outdoor spaces we’re so lucky to play in. Likewise, it is important to us that we use our platform and our voices to encourage and empower others to do the same.
Here are just a few of the ways that we incorporate sustainability into our production and overall business model:
Printing
We have moved our production to use only vegetable-based inks on our stationery products. Because of that, our greeting cards and postcards printed with this ink are completely biodegradable and emit low VOCs during production. See ya later, petroleum-based ink!
Paper
All of our cards and postcards are printed on sustainably sourced paper, made of 100% recycled materials, with 30% post-consumer recycled content. Plus, it is FSC, SFI and PEFC certified.
Packaging
To reduce our impact even further, we’ve said goodbye to using PLA sleeves for customer orders. Your order arrives in a recycled box or mailer that can easily be reused or recycled. Our items are packaged together in a recycled and recyclable tissue for a little extra protection. For all our other products, we have ditched any plastic packaging.
Shipping
We are also taking efforts to cut our ties with plastic packaging tape. The fun paper-based tape used on our shipping boxes can be recycled, unlike typical packaging tape. We reuse shipping boxes and bags wherever possible and if we do use a "new" box, it is always made from recycled materials.
Giving Back
Beyond our own eco-friendly business practices, supporting organizations doing the heavy lifting in protecting our planet is equally important. We’re stoked to be a member of 1% for the Planet and Alliance for the Great Lakes, as well as donate to a handful of other amazing conservation organizations. You can check out our recent contributions on the ‘Giving Back’ page on our website!
Five Ways to Celebrate the Earth Every Day
Tackling the many challenges facing Mother Earth can be overwhelming, but remember that even the smallest acts can make a big difference. Here are five of our favorite (little) ways that you can show the planet some love!
- Swap one car trip a week for a bike ride, or carpool with a friend or family member
- Commit to picking up three pieces of trash anytime you’re out for a walk
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and washing your hair
- Buy reusable bags and leave them in your car for grocery shopping
- Make your next Netflix pick a sustainability documentary, to learn more and get inspired. ‘David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet,’ ‘My Octopus Teacher’ and ‘There’s Something in the Water’ are a few of our current favorites.
Mother Nature is amazing. Let’s all do our part to protect and celebrate her -- not just this Earth Day, but every day!
