Benefits of Green Practices

At EIS, we are committed to the implementation of green practices in both our operations and in terms of green "outcomes" for our products.  We are continuously looking for new and better ideas for conducting our business in environmentally responsible ways.

Many of our clients share our concern for the environment.  To support our green objectives and those of our clients, we have developed the following resources and made them publicly available.

Resource Use

One way to reduce adverse environmental impacts is to reduce the amount of materials used in a given process.  For example, choosing to distribute publications on CD or DVD disks instead of in print drastically reduces material requirements.  Our publication "Paper or Plastic? - A Resources Calculator" estimates the number/volume of trees required to complete a printing project and compares this to the volume of crude oil required to complete a CD/DVD project of the same size.  This calculator illustrates the environmental impact of this common publishing choice.

Carbon Footprint

Much has been written regarding global warming and the need to reduce the carbon footprint of our business decisions.  Our publication, "Paper or Plastic? - A Carbon Footprint Calculator for Shipping" estimates the environmental impact of shipping CD/DVD's vs. paper publications.  It compares the carbon released into the environment by transport of a digital publication on CD/DVD disk, to the carbon released by transporting the same sized publication in print.

Product Recycling

Many municipal recycling operations can recycle the plastics used in our digital publishing products - but not all.  Sometimes, CD/DVD disks intended for recycling may end up in a landfill.

To help our end users properly recycle our products, we have produced the "Digital Publications Recycling Guide".  This guide identifies the paper and plastics used in our products and gives information on best recycling practices for them.  A copy of this guide is included with each digital publication intended for distribution on CD/DVD.

Product Reuse

CD/DVD disks can also be removed from the waste stream through reuse.  To promote reuse, we have assembled "101+ Things you can make with a CD/DVD Disk".  This whimsical (yet, serious) publication lists many, many ways to reuse CD/DVD disks - from the practical (coasters, flying disks, clock faces, etc.) to the absurd.

Internal Operations

Internally, we review our use of materials and energy in an effort to find meaningful, measurable ways we can reduce adverse environmental impacts.  From this work, we've developed our "Green Operations Manual".  To keep this guide current, we conduct mini-reviews each quarter and a full review each year.

E-Waste

If they are not properly recycled, electronic devices can release toxic chemicals, metals and other compounds into the environment.  Our publication, "Recycling Guide for Electronic Devices - How to Respond to the Hazards of E-Waste" helps you to connect with responsible recycling organizations.

PDF copies of the publications mentioned above are available from EIS.  To request copies, please send an email to epubs@eiservices.com specifying which publication(s) you would like to receive.  Copies will be sent via return email.