Our Commitment

Down to Earth Design LLC has a mission to provide environmentally sustainable products and services to its clients. Recognizing that the printing industry is the 3rd largest polluter on the planet, Down to Earth Design LLC is committed to incorporating the needs of environmental organizations and our years of experience to create a business model of sustainable design techniques.

Our typical client has an environmental conscience of its own whether the client is an environmental non-profit, a business in green services or products industry or simply a business or organization which recognizes the need to protect the environment. The “triple bottom line” of our clients is a harmony of financial wealth, social responsibility and environmental protection. It is the goal of Down to Earth Design LLC to provide services that support and enhance our clients’ mission to sustain the environment by providing top-notch design services which will accomplish that mission.

We make a commitment to provide our clients with environment-friendly graphic design services and consulting which will be tailored to address each unique project . Consideration will be given to the financial constraints of each client. Each client will make the final decision as to what is best. We promote a “baby steps” approach which will combine our experience in design and each client’s mission.

The following are some of the factors to be considered:

• Maximizing the shelf life of designs
• Considering size vs. waste
• Evaluating printing methods most appropriate to quantity
• Recommending environmentally friendly paper
• Considering the use of color, ink coverage, and toxin reduction
• Recommending the best media (i.e. online, printed or both)
• Recommending environmentally-conscience vendors (i.e. printers, website hosts, etc.)
• Employing local vendors when possible.

Down to Earth Design LLC leads by example with our in-house eco-policies. We believe that the investment each client makes in choosing our firm will result in compelling designs and a “green team” of industry experts who share environmental values.

Our ongoing office practices include:

• Greatly reducing the use of paper by providing our customers with electronic proofs whenever possible. Also, we will educate you on the use of Adobe Acrobat Comments that allows you to insert comments to return edits electronically. No paper necessary!
• Using 100% post-consumer content paper when an in-house printout is absolutely necessary.
• Printing on both sides of the paper before recycling and recycling all paper products when reuse is no longer an option.
• Reusing all packaging and bubble-wrap materials for in house mailings. In fact, Down to Earth Design LLC has never had a need to purchase these materials new –all that we need arrives in incoming deliveries. There is enough for reuse for all our shipping needs. It is from this practice that the “We Recycle Office Paper for the Environment” Stamp was developed.
• Buying locally whenever possible. This reduces all waste and pollution associated with shipping as well as supports local business.
• Lighting the office with natural sunlight. Supplemental lighting is provided by energy-efficient compact florescent light bulbs, which are recycled after use.
• Providing files to printers using FTP technology whenever possible. Waste is reduced because we eliminate the need for CD/DVD media and the fuel necessary to transport the media to the printer.
• Promoting a CD/DVD recycling policy and program.
• Hosting our website with a company that operates on renewable energies.
• Using biodegradable trash liners in our trashcans.
• Using environmentally friendly cleaning products to clean the office.
• Composting all plant-based waste.
• Applying the “11 Questions” criteria to all office purchases. Learn more...
• In addition to our current policies, our 2009 eco-goals include qualifying our company for “green certifications” with GenGreenlife, Coop America, and others.
• And, neutralizing most or our entire carbon footprint with the purchase of carbon offset certificates.
• Our 5-year eco-goal is the purchase of a new company Toyota Prius Hybrid. Nice!
• Check out “What’s New” for updates on our goals.