News
IAP was featured in the first-ever digital issue of Design for Good
www.chdmag.com
IAP is green all over
Green. Carbon Neutral. Eco-friendly. It can all get very confusing these days choosing the right product that has the ideal combination of beauty, durability and that is manufactured in a conscientious way.
Most things that we do -- from driving ours cars to flying in planes and using light bulbs -- contribute to the amount of CO2 we are putting into the atmosphere. First, we need to realize how we are contributing, and then take steps to decrease our carbon output.
I started the process for IAP by looking at what other manufacturers were doing to address their carbon footprint. Surprisingly, many were not looking at their total operation. Rather than address the impact of their production, they often introduced a product that is "Green," but that only represented a small percentage of their footprint. In looking at the environmental responsibility IAP would take, it struck me that this was an admirable first step, but was it going far enough?
I became convinced that IAP could and would take a comprehensive approach to environmental responsibility. To reduce the carbon footprint in manufacturing our products, I looked at three factors: raw materials, production process and natural resources needed. The first element was raw materials, by utilizing low gas resins and recycled metals we were able to reduce emissions. Second, in production we have completely eliminated the spraying of resins, the only leading company in the industry to have done so. By eliminating the spraying process in manufacturing, we are greatly reducing the amount of total emissions. Lastly, reducing the use of resources. Throughout our entire production process, everything is done by hand. Electricity is only used in the polishing process; therefore, drawing on the bare minimum of resources. Even after an IAP object is finished, they're still doing their part. The lightweight fiberglass form lowers shipping costs and fuel usage.
Sure, this makes our cost of production higher and more labor intensive, but the important thing to me was that the price not be paid by the environment. I initiated the process in order to do our part -- hardly knowing what kind of response we would receive, if any. So, it has been wholly gratifying for me to learn just how completely our clients share our sense of responsibility.
On behalf of everyone here, I want to extend my thanks for the overwhelming response to our green initiative, and let you know that we're not done yet. We will continue to create innovative new production methods and materials that are environmentally sound.
Best,
Chris Collard
PS
I look forward to hearing from you and learning how you're taking environmental action in your world. Email me at Chris.Collard@IAPSF.com with any questions or to continue the discussion.
2012 Trade Shows
2012 LA Expo
Long Beach Convention Center
Long Beach, CA
March 30, 2012
Booth# 702
www.landscapeonline.com
Hospitality Design Expo + Conference 2012 (HD Las Vegas)
Sands Expo & Convention Center
Las Vegas, NV
May 15-17, 2012
Booth# 5322
www.hdexpo.com/hde
Hospitality Design Boutique 2012
(HD Boutique Miami)
Miami Beach Convention Center
Miami, FL
September 11-12, 2012
Booth# 1914
www.hdboutique.com/hdb
ASLA 2012 Expo
Phoenix Convention Center
Phoenix, AZ
September 29 - October 1, 2012
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Boutique Design New York (BDNY)
Javits Center North Hall
New York, NY
November 11-12, 2012
Booth# 4747
www.boutiquedesignnewyork.com