Waste Not...

While the mission of Leave No Trace is to promote responsible recreation in the outdoors, we also strive to keep our Boulder, CO office as sustainable as possible. 

Last year, we sent out approximately 2,200 merchandise orders as well as hundreds of membership materials, partnership packets and educational resources.  One of the highlights of our "green" efforts is our commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle as much packing material and paper as possible. Here are some of the things our office is doing:

• ALL of our boxes and packing material (packing peanuts, bubble wrap, paper etc.) are reused, so when you get a box from us, use it again!
• We reuse as many padded envelops as possible and the ones that we purchase new have a high percentage of recycled material (77% recycled fibers, 62% post-consumer content). Our membership envelops are made of 100% recycled material (40% post-consumer content) and our printer paper is made from 35% recycled material. 
• As of November 2008, many of our mailing envelops, binder clips, paper clips, scissors, staplers and other office supplies come from a local non-profit that gives donated office supplies and furniture to member non-profits for low or no cost. Purchasing items there saves us money and helps perfectly good items out of the landfill.
• Many of our members elect to receive their renewal notices by email and then renew online, saving everyone postage, paper and time. When you become a member of Leave No Trace let us know that you want to be marked as "email renewal only" and save a tree!

What is your office or school doing to reduce waste? We would love to hear your suggestions! Share your feedback by either commenting on this post, or email it to me at katie@lnt.org.