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We have always shown concern about the human impact on our world, and consequently, the pearl industry. The future of the pearl industry, pearl quality and availability are directly tied to the health of our oceans, pearl producing lakes and streams, and the environments that make them complete. We are passionate about helping to protect the world’s pearl-crucial environments. Our focus is on political involvement of global warming issues supported overwhelmingly by scientific evidence that man is affecting the earth’s environment. Specifically for all of us at Gem Marketing Pearls, we are very interested in how global warming affects coral reefs and the local, pearl-centric indigenous cultures that make their livelihood from them. |
- 1) By 2013 feature almost entirely pearls from socially and environmentally conscientious sustainable pearl farms.
We wish to further develop partnerships with pearl suppliers who recognize the simple relationship between the health of the oceans and its reefs, freshwater lakes and rivers and their connected ecosystems. We wish to build long-lasting relationships with environmentally & socially conscientious pearl farmers who are willing to take the necessary action to protect what will ultimately determine their own long-term sustainability and success. China will continue to be our greatest challenge to this end. See: China and the environment
- 2) By 2013 offer 100% of our pearl jewelry re-using 100% recycled precious metals.
We wish to further develop partnerships with suppliers who are committed and purposefully moving in the direction of offering 100% “Certified” recycled precious metals. We recognize the challenges the jewelry industry faces when it comes to our responsibility to the greater “jewelry” community weighed against the greater good of humanity. As an example, the issues of Dirty Gold and its social, cultural, environmental and monetary costs must be seen for what they are. The challenges must be dealt with using an appropriate degree of diplomacy, reality, humility and concern to achieve this most challenging of goals.
- 3) By 2013 have all our manufacturing and recovery processes completed by companies who are equally committed to moving away from the “standard practices of old” of jewelry manufacturing. Specifically,
Partnering with Manufacturers who are committed to updating their production and recovery processes, or have already done so!
- 4) Integrate every means possible, in every aspect of our business, to lessen our impact on the environment.
Reduce our need for, reuse whenever possible and recycle everything in our power! Savvy business people see lessening their impact as saving a tremendous amount in controllable expenses and hence making their own businesses more sustainable through hard economic times. Our savings are passed on to you in the form of lower prices and higher quality services. Our business model focuses on maximizing all that is already available to us while minimizing our need to “add” to the system. As an example, policies allowing most of our employees to work from home minimizes the need for travel, redundancy in space and resources such as office buildings, computers and phones and in our experience provides freedoms which produce nothing but positive results from our loyal dedicated employees. We re-use every item possible from the blank side of most non-critical paper documents to packaging & shipping supplies. We encourage our clients to consider moving away from our industry’s’ “overnight” shipping standard as further examples. See: Pearls of Change. Additionally, everything that can be recycled is- and we’re proud to do it! Read everything we do to reduce our impact below.
Current Gem Marketing Pearls Sustainability Practices:
Partner with companies who also conscientiously desire to lessen their impact on the environment.
Do our part to share any information available that can help facilitate an easier transition away from our current mind-set to one that frames the very challenges and decisions we all make in the larger global context.
Be actively involved in our political arena and clearly communicate to our elected officials what we are seeing happen elsewhere in the world as the effects of global warming and global business come into focus.
Share tips and ideas and spotlight business, individuals and trade stories to encourage our suppliers, customers and employees to actively take part in what we wish becomes a reality- a better world for ourselves and our children.
Travel:
- Airplane travel is minimized. Did you know the typical transcontinental flight uses the equivalent amount of fuel as driving 40,000 miles in an average car? Many business trips can now be eliminated or cut short through the use of such technological wonders as “Skype”.
- Trips to see suppliers are diminishing as long-term relationships are solidified and “needs” are more clearly understood and satisfied without issue.Trips by salespeople are being reduced, as technology fills the gaps. Just look at the virtual sales catalog this website represents.
- Hotel rooms are shared, when appropriate. to conserve on expenses and cuts our boarding impact in half while saving on expenses which we pass on to our customers
-Meetings and retreats are scheduled sparingly and are not considered an opportunity to splurge.
- Employees are not required to travel to the office, everyday. Only when needed. Most work almost entirely from home.
At the office:
Easy ways to reduce reuse and recycle around the office:
- Recycle everything your city allows. Encourage your elected officials to collect even more recyclables. Make it simple for employees to recycle around the office. Become an example to them in all ways “recycling”.
- PLAN to use a shipping option other than overnight and 2nd-day air. Ground is best.
- Reduce and reuse packing materials
- Use the “draft” setting on your printer for most non-critical print jobs.
- Use the blank side of most non-critical paper documents for internal use
Electricity:
- All lights are shut off in rooms unattended or when natural lighting is sufficient
- Computers are shut off or put into standby between use. All are shut off at night
- Fans are used for the brief days we need cooling in Flagstaff.
- Employees are asked to "suffer" through those worst days). - All ghost draws are shut down until needed such as printers, chargers, lighting when natural light will suffice, shredders, etc. After use, we encourage them to be shut off until needed, again.
- All lighting is replaced w/ fluorescent bulbs, when incandescents burn out
- Encourage employees to bring water, in their own reusable containers, to negate a water coolers' need.
- Use the "draft" print/copy setting on personal printers for most jobs and when applicable, in place of using the large business copier.
- Email is being heavily emphasized for all aspects of our business communications. This is in place of all the energy needed for paper production, printing and the shipping facilities needed for the production and delivery of a typical business "mailing" or letter.
Natural Gas:
- Everyone is encouraged to "think" if hot water is needed for hand washing and other "water" uses.
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