4Rs Environmental Policy - Refrain/Reduce/Reuse/Recycle

Please feel free to contact us at 1.800.EYES.4U2 or via email for more information.

Offsetting Carbon Emissions:
With the help of ASEC and NativeEnergy, we have been offsetting our carbon emissions since CY 2007. Initially, we had two objectives: 1) to become carbon neutral with all future product introductions, and 2) to pick up the tab for the carbon clean up, i.e. to not increase wholesale and retail pricing as a result of the added expense. During the assessment process, however, the decision was made to become carbon neutral on a companywide basis. This includes the reversal of carbon emissions as a result of manufacturing, transportation (including employee commuting to/from the office), freight, and energy consumption from day-to-day operations.

Paperless Office Initiative:
Receipts, invoices and free passes to shows are emailed to customers which reduce the need for copy paper, manila patient folders, printing and mailing. Integrated e-files are being set up to replace the paper filing system. When paper must be used, we buy only 100% recycled copy paper.

Recycled Packaging Materials:
We reuse clean packaging materials for shipping, and shredded "junk" mail has replaced biodegradable corn starch packing peanuts -- recycling is good, but reusing before recycling is even better. Even with the daily volume of shipments, we have not had to buy new packing peanuts since 2004.

Solar Powered Design Studio:
We recently completed our new pre-fabricated design studio for Allyn. It's our little off-the-grid experiment using solar power to run computers, lighting, etc. "Green" measures were taken such as FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certified wood from sustainable replenished forests. Pine and birch plywoods used are premium grade (for extended life) and the glues used are toxic-free. SIPs (standard insulated panels) are used and have a foam-core insulation instead of fiberglass insulation with an exterior and interior facing to promote increased efficiency and are manufactured in a controlled environment to improve product quality, reduce the amount of wood necessary for structural framing and increase the speed of building. SIPs are a simple way to reduce the overall environmental impact of a building.

Recycle Your Old Eyeglasses:
We are offering our customers (within 30 days of purchase), postage paid envelopes that can be used to return old, unneeded eyeglasses. We are involved in charity work that gets these glasses to developing countries for reuse. This is a win-win situation -- the effort reduces landfill waste and gives someone in need the gift of sight. Unfortunately, less than 1/10 of 1% of all glasses sold each year get donated and reused. You may also be able to donate old eyeglasses at your local opticianry and/or library. Did you know that many U.S. cities with recycling programs accept metal and plastic eyeglasses (frames and lenses) in the recycling receptacles? If you have damaged glasses that cannot be reused, check with your local waste management company to see if it's ok to recycle these items.

What's good for the optometry school is good for those in need:
Deadstock frames we acquire from large purchases that don't fit into our product mix are donated to the Southern California College of Optometry rather than disposed of in landfill. Students use these frames to practice grinding and installing prescription lenses, and redonate the completed eyeglasses to those in need. The school reduces their overhead as well as consumption of new manufactured frames, the less fortunate receive corrective glasses, and we sleep better knowing less is going into landfill -- another win-win idea!

Vintage eyewear not only offers consumers a unique product, but also helps reduce environmental impact caused by manufacturing and landfill usage.

Let us know if you have any thoughts or ideas to share. Thank you.

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