News
Breedlove goes green
Rob Hughes Apr 16 2008, 11:02am
Prestige guitar luthier introduces numerous eco initiatives
Breedlove Guitar Company has engaged in an ongoing effort to reduce the environmental impact of its business activities.
Having realised that it could do more to decrease its energy consumption and direct and indirect CO2 emission, a company-wide pledge was made to increase its environmental stewardship, and reduce its carbon footprint. This has resulted in changes that will affect every aspect of the business, and the daily activities of Breedlove employees.
A number of fundamental changes have already been enacted, firstly, the implementation of the Breedlove Adopt-A-Forest Program to both reduce CO2 by planting trees, and to develop a sustainable source of exotic tonewoods for future generations.
Three company-owned general-purpose standard fuel vehicles have been traded in for hybrid-drive vehicles, reducing fuel consumption by over 50 percent. The only original vehicle that remains is the Breedlove wood truck, though it has been demoted to recycling transport, and will serve out the rest of its days in this capacity.
A green commuting incentive program will reward employees who choose to car-share or use alternate means of transport to travel to work. Such workers will receive $0.50 per hour or $4 per day bonus.
A newly installed solvent recycling system has reduced solvent waste by almost 80 percent, and the company has identified and replaced several energy-inefficient pieces of equipment. A brand new compressor unit has recently been fitted.
A comprehensive internal recycling program now ensures that every possible recyclable or reusable material is made use of, rather than disposed of, while a wood recycling program conserves scrap wood for better uses. The company has already taken steps to ensure the efficient and frugal use of tonewoods, but the new program aims to take all woods into account.
Wherever possible, print projects will be undertaken using FSC-certified elemental chlorine-free stock with 25 percent post consumer recycled content.
Finally, the company has selected a location for its new energy efficient headquarters that is central to the homes of its employees. This will reduce each worker’s daily commute by 22 miles. With 50 employees working 250 plus days worked per year, this should reduce travel to work by 275,000 miles per year, and – assuming an average of 20 miles per gallon – 65,000 gallons of fuel over a five-year period.
breedloveguitars.com
