Our current effort:

1. Since 1995 we have recycled every piece of paper and cardboard that comes through our door and continue to try to reduce our use of white paper whenever possible. We also recycle our cans and glass. We e-mail invoices whenever possible and accept automatic credit card payments reducing mail waste.
2. Since 2008 we have been buying Green Power which means we pay more for our electricity so our power supplier can buy more wind or solar power.
3. Beginning in 2008, we have allowed some employees (over one year of employment) to work at home one day per week. Many of our employees come some distance to work and the at home program not only is good for morale it also saves the employee’s commute cost and reduces their auto carbon footprint.
4. Encourage commute alternatives from car to bus and bike. We pay for bus passes for all our employees who opt to take the bus instead of drive. We also pay a $20/month bonus to those who ride their bikes to work.

2010 and Beyond

1. We will continue to try to conserve power, water and paper whenever possible.
2. We will measure our carbon footprint and buy carbon offset credits to pay for our usages.
3. InsideOut travels to many trade shows and conferences because we believe face-to-face time is essential in our business. We will calculate a separate carbon footprint for travel and buy offsets. We will gladly publish our results at the end of 2010.
4. We will increase the use of GotoWebinar to engage our clients and reduce our air travel whenever possible.
5. We will be reprinting all our branded collateral in 2010 and it will be printed using sustainable forest initiative stock with soy inks. We will encourage our clients to do the same whenever possible.

Our green effort is far from perfect but are committed to finding solutions for our contribution to climate change. Our commitment to become carbon neutral is unwavering and we will accomplish our goal in 2010.

InsideOut clients are thinking green!

Put away that D.D.T. now
Give me

Spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and the bees
Please!
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got
Till it’s gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot.

- Joni Mitchell

Man, even Joni Mitchell was thinking green!

A couple months ago, we asked our clients: “What do you do for mother earth as a business owner?”

The response was overwhelming and wonderful! We learned that many of our clients are very eco-conscious.

Gathered here are some of the different efforts taken by our clients to stay green and keep the health of the earth on the forefront. This is just a small example of what these businesses and others around the nation are doing to think green and lessen our impact on this beautiful blue planet.

Salisbury House – Seattle, WA

• Soap and shampoo dispensers in showers save on packaging
• Food waste is composted
• The garden is pesticide-free
• Recycling facilities on property for guests to use.

Morgan Hill Retreat – Poulsbo, WA

• Use of fragrance-free and green cleaning products
• Produce their own eggs
• Their farm is pesticide-free. All food waste goes to farm animals or into compost which is then used in the gardens

Max Welding – Sequim, WA

• The company makes compost unit parts and bio diesel parts

Justin Trails Resort – Sparta, WI

• A certified green business by Travel Green Wisconsin.
• Native species landscaping
• Recycling
• Food waste is composted

Ramsey Canyon Inn – Hereford, AZ

• All gray shower water is used to water the orchard
• Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel dispensers in the showers save on waste
• Use local organic ingredients for breakfast, afternoon pie, and coffee service

Solglimt – Duluth, MN

• Use of low energy and LED lights throughout inn
• Environmentally friendly, phosphate free cleaning products
• Shampoo, conditioner and soap dispensers in showers to reduce waste
• Recycling program on property for guest use as well
• 100% cotton towels and sheets, reducing the use of petrochemicals
• Use Fair Trade coffee and tea
• 6″ thick wall insulation and 12-16″ thick attic insulation to reduce heating and cooling costs and energy expenditure
• Used recycled materials such as old sandstone street curbs and cobblestones in landscaping
• Gardens are pesticide-free and food grown at Solglimt is organically grown

Lookout Point Inn – Hot Springs, AR

• Insulation made with recycled newspaper particles
• Biodegradable detergents and cleansers are used
• Recycling baskets provided in all guest rooms
• Compact Florescent bulbs used throughout the inn
• Replanting to maintain topsoil and discourage erosion
• Linens no longer in use are given to staff or local charity

Wow! Isn’t that amazing?! We are so proud of our clients, and encourage everyone to pitch in and do their part for the earth and the next generation set to inherit this beautiful place.