Blog @ Richard Call Photography

Photography has been used over the years to exemplify our day-to-day impact on the environment. Nothing brings social issues to the forefront of thought more so than photography. But photography is not very environmentally friendly in its self. Printing, frames, and the day to day business side contributes to the carbon footprint.

I have recently decided to live my personal live as eco-friendly as I possibly can in my day to day life. I tried to implement things like the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse and recycle), reducing my power consumption, reducing my gas consumption, and looking at eating in a more environmentally friendly way (less meat, local, and organic products).

Now I am applying the things I learned from my personal life to my business model. It’s a great idea but How?

Before we get to the how we need to look at why.

• Every kilowatt-hour you use produces about 1.4 pounds of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming (Source)
• Transportation accounts for one-third of the average American’s “carbon footprint” If you’re typical, you’re responsible for about 15,000 pounds of CO2 a year. (source)
• An average television or computer running for 8 hours per day generates 618 lbs of CO₂ annually. A laptop computer would generate 77 lbs of CO₂ annually. (source)
• Rechargers and other equipment left on standby create phantom loads that waste megawatts every year. (source)
• Photo printing involved using dirty chemicals which contain heavy metals such as Silver and use energy. (source)
• A digital camera that utilizes batteries that wear out and eventually need replaced.

As you can see the impact can be quite large if not watched or monitored.

My environmentally responsible business plan to offset the impact of my bussiness will include (based off this list):

• Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (REC) at 1.5% higher than I actually use based on a carbon foot print calculator to be determined later. (any suggestions for a good one?)
• recycle all ink cartridge, non-rechargeable batteries and worn out rechargeable batteries.
• Reduce the amount of paper used in day to day business by doing as much online as I can.
• Offer my clients a “eco-friendly digital only’ package. (still in the works)
• Offer my clients a “eco-friendly alternatives to normal packaging such as recycled albums, recycled photo print paper for pr0of prints and books, eco friendly framing and matting, Giving digital negatives on a reusable medium like a USB stick as opposed to CD and DVD’s which are hard to recycle and dispose of properly.
• Purchasing REC’s for those clients who choose non recyclable, eco-friendly products and packages.
• Planting a tree for each new customer that schedules a sitting.
• Join and obtain green business certifications with organizations such as the Green Business Bureau.
• Host my website with eco-friendly hosting services.

Eco friendly business practices will require alot of work, attention and will evolve as I learn about ways of implementing and new products to offer clients.Please check back on my progress or join my “post by email” service.

I am always open to suggestions and ideas so please feel free to drop them in the comments, my feedback form or via email at green.ideas at richardcallphotography.com.

We are all in this together and as stewards of this beautiful home, it is the responsibility of all of us to do our part to provide a home for our great grandchildren that s equal to or better then we have right now. What part will you play?