Greenhouse framing

GP: How green is your business - what green business practices do you embrace?

GHF: 100% green and sustainable from the moment we launched in 2002.  When we conceived of Green House Framing, our intention was to be the most the environmentally friendly company for picture framing.  For us, that meant jumping in all the way from the materials we use and how we source them to the design and operation of our studio and shop.  The short list of green practices includes green web hosting, renewable energy for all operations, reclaimed shipping boxes, biodegradable cornstarch packing peanuts, 100% post-consumer recycled or tree-free paper products, and framing components purchased from local companies.  We even designed our studio and shop with reclaimed materials and healthy paints and flooring.  There are so many more things we are doing to demonstrate our commitment to the environment.  For the complete list of practices and materials, please visit the environmental commitment page of our website.

GP: How green are your products - what green products/components do you offer?

GHF: All of our frames are handcrafted by us from reclaimed wood that comes from deconstructed buildings in the Pacific Northwest.  We have never used virgin wood and never will.  We firmly believe in deconstruction over tree replanting, using what is available rather than taking what is unnecessary.  We are salvaging valuable materials that would otherwise be dumped in a landfill.  This gives each frame we make a unique history and identity.  The finish we use is a plant based oil that we custom mix with colored pigments made from renewable sources such as crushed earth, rock, and minerals.  Our stains are free of petrochemicals, animal ingredients/testing, and are obtained using fair trade practices.  Our easel backs are manufactured in the US from 100% recycled chip board.  We use only Cotton RagMat for preservation framing.  Lastly, the paper used for dust covers is also 100% recycled.  We have tried to incorporate green products into every step of the framing process.  Check out our materials page for a complete list of components.

GP: Why did you choose to offer green products and implement green business practices?

GHF: Lars and I wanted an outlet for our artistic expression without causing harm to the environment or animals, and we wanted to work for ourselves. Also, as a chemically sensitive person, I needed a healthy work environment where I could control the products being used.  Most of all, we wanted to feel good about the product we were putting out into the marketplace. It is important to us to make a positive contribution through the work we do.  We just couldn’t see doing it any other way.  Please visit our about us and mission pages to learn more about who we are and what we hope to accomplish.

GP: How has offering green products and implementing green business practices affected your company?

GHF: We believed that we could design a frame that was beautiful and green, and we hoped to find a niche of caring consumers.  We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the support and positive feedback.  It is such a pleasure to work with each client to design the perfect frame for them.  Each frame is a labor of love for us, so we feel lucky to be able to share that.  The amazing response we've received is what keeps us going each day.

GP: What are your hopes for a greener photographic industry?

GHF: It is our hope that more people will stop to consider the impact of the products and services they are using beforehand.  What we'd like is for more people to support small, domestic businesses as much as possible.  Buying frames from us through the internet is better than using a local frame shop who has their mouldings imported from China or Europe.  Our frames travel less miles since we only ship within the continental US and Canada, and there is no waste with our shipping materials.  We want consumers to start asking the hard questions about where products come from and how they are made.  Once we begin that dialogue, we can make informed choices with our dollars.  Slowly, but surely, it will make a difference.

GP: What is your favorite eco website or eco-product that we may not have heard of?

GHF: The Environmental Working Group  A wealth of unbiased information about chemicals in our food and cosmetics.  Highly recommend their Skin Deep Database for specific information about beauty products.

GP: Thanks so much to Green House Framing for taking the time to answer our questions!

Special Offer: 20% off all framing and services for GP members.  More info here.

**Green House Framing clients can receive 30% off GP certification with code GRNHOUSEFRAMIN til Dec. 2, 2010.**

If you have an idea for a spotlight feature or interview, let us know!