Sustainability at Chaos to Memories
My greatest adventures are running on the trails, hiking in the mountains, and swimming at the beach. I love the outdoors and feel a genuine responsibility to run our business in ways that minimizes waste and our impact on our environment.
These are a some of our best practices for being good stewards of our business, our clients’ memories, and our environment.
Energy Efficiency
All the lighting in our studio uses LED fixtures and dimmable switches to minimize our use of electricity. All our signage is on timed switches and our storage space use motion sensors to further minimize energy use.
Minimize Shipping
Because of the high volume of work we do, we order all our supplies in bulk to minimize shipping costs and environmental impact. The archival supplies we use are available from a very limited number of vendors, so by planning ahead we only use ground shipping and order in large quantities to minimize the impact of shipping and transportation.
Archival Storage
Speaking of archival supplies, we only use photo storage supplies from trusted vendors that will last for decades. Instead of using cheap storage options that aren’t good for your photos and don’t last long, we use archival boxes, envelopes, and sleeves that will last for many years and keep your memories safe for the next generation.
Recyclable Materials
We use recyclable materials as much as possible. For example, the bags and boxes we use for project delivery are all 100% recyclable after projects are delivered safely to clients.
Recycling Habits
As a business we produce remarkably little waste considering the size of our staff and the volume of business we do. We recycle as much material as we know how including:
- Shipping supplies
- Office paper (always shredded for privacy)
- Original photo storage that clients don’t want to retain, including envelopes, boxes, and storage
- Kitchen supplies including packaging, bottles, and cans
Electronic Waste
Our work involves lots of electronic equipment and digital devices. Whenever financially viable, we repair broken equipment which is better for the environment and for our business. When equipment is no longer serviceable, we ensure it’s recycled by a local ewaste vendor on a monthly schedule. We even recycle electronic equipment and digital devices for free for our clients to ensure it doesn’t end up back in a basement or dumped in a landfill.
Minimal Footprint
Our average client project results in a 50% reduction in physical storage space and a 52% reduction in digital storage needs. This frees up physical space, reduces cloud storage costs, and increases the joy of enjoying your photos.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the ways we do everything we can preserve your memories and the environment for future generations.
Interested in working with Chaos to Memories?
If you’re near Chicago and ready to get started, come visit our Wheaton Studio Monday – Friday, 10-5. Please bring your memories with you.
If you live outside the Chicagoland area, we’re happy to send you a Project Form and Contract, along with shipping instructions, so you can get started on your project.
Contact us for more information.