#40 TRAILBLAZES * (revised 6/4) "reduce..re-use..recycle"

Reduce, Re-use, Recycle

We strive to be the “green” of green garden gates.

We are committed to purchasing products, equipment and materials that have been previously used. We want to continue to re-use them beyond their initial intended use in our stores. We will recycle them properly when they are no longer of value to us.

Our goal is to acquire 50% of our company purchases from re-cycled products. In addition, we want to re-use 30% of those recycled products for additional uses after their intended use is no longer viable. When we are no longer able to re-use products, our goal is to dispose 80% of them for further recycling.

This commitment holds the promise of some real benefits. First, the cost of initial construction, ongoing maintenance as well as daily operating costs can be significantly reduced.

Second, this pledge of sustainability to our customers may further hold their loyalty to our stores, as well as serve as a source of pride for our employees. Finally, our example to the industry may move other garden stores closer to the concept of “reduce, re-use, recycle"

In addition, we want to offer products for the gardener that will produce a reasonably effective outcome with as little as possible harm to the environment. We pay attention to how our purchased plants are grown, the chemicals used for production, and any efforts our growers are making toward a neutral environmental footprint. We monitor our suppliers of consumer use fertilizers, fungicides, miticides and insecticides to be certain that their ingredients are the safest in the marketplace for the gardener.

We ask these questions.

Can we reduce the consumption of a product?

Can a used product be acquired and have nearly the same effectiveness as a new product?

Can that product have other uses for our company after its intended use is no longer needed? Can that product be recycled for further uses after it is not needed in the company?

We have developed a list and continue to expand on the list of possible products and materials for initial purchase and continual re-using.

Fencing

Signing

Lighting

Window treatments

Doors and windows

Framing lumber

Framing steel

Flooring

Gates

Awning and covering fabric and materials

Electrical supplies

Heating and air conditioning equipment

Used vehicles

Lifting carrying and moving equipment

Hand tools

Desks, chairs, table and counters

Display equipment and fixtures

Rebuilt printers, cash registers, telephone and alarm equipment

Recycled paper products

Re-filled printer inks

Recyclable plastic pots and trays that the can be re-used in the operation.

Soil from plant pots

Broken bark and soil bags

Plastic pallet covers and greenhouse roof plastic for tree and shrub wrapping

Used pallets for bench framing and possible fuel

Recycled asphalt for the parking areas

Alternate sources of energy

Cardboard and shipping materials