Breedlove Enacts Eco-Initiatives, Adopt-A-Forest Program

Breedlove Guitar Company is engaged in an ongoing effort to reduce the environmental impact of our business activities. As a company and as individuals, we are already extremely aware of environmental issues, a fact that is reflected in our lifestyles and habits. But we realize we can do much more to decrease our energy consumption, decrease direct and indirect CO2 emission, and increase livability. A company-wide pledge to increase environmental stewardship, and decrease environmental footprint has resulted in changes that will affect every aspect of our business, and the daily activities of every Breedlove employee.

A number of fundemental changes have already been enacted.

• Implemented the Breedlove "Adopt-A-Forest" Program to both sequester CO2 by planting trees and to develop a sustainable source of exotic tonewoods for future generations.
• Three company-owned general-purpose gas vehicles have been traded in for hybrid-drive vehicles, reducing gas consumption by over 50%. We hung on to one gas-guzzler, the Breedlove Wood Truck, but it has been relegated to use as our recycling transport, and will serve out the rest of its days in that capacity.
• A green communiting incentive program rewards employees who choose to carpool or use alternate means of transport to travel to work ($0.50 per hour or $4/day bonus)
• A new solvent recycling system has reduced solvent waste by almost 80%, and we have identified and replaced several energy-inefficient pieces of equipment (a brand new compressor unit was recently installed).
• A comprehensive internal recycling program now ensures that every possible material with recycle/reuse potential is diverted to its highest possible purpose, rather than going to a landfill.
• A wood recycling program redirects scrap wood to better uses (we are already efficient and frugal with the high-quality tonewoods we use, but this new program helps us be even more thorough).
• Wherever possible, print projects will be executed using FSC-certified elemental-Chlorine-free stock with 25% post consumer recycled content.
• Selected a location for our new energy efficient headquarters that is central to the homes of our employees. This will reduce each employee’s daily commute by 22 miles. With 50 employees today, 250 plus days worked per year or we will eliminate 275,000 miles driven per year. Assuming an average of 20 miles per gallon, that move will eliminate over 65,000 gallons of gas consumed over a five year period.

Read more about Breedlove Guitar Company environmental initiatives at breedloveguitars.com.

Images (Right-Click/Save As...):

Breedlove Adopt-A-Forest Program [TIFF, 5MB] (Photo by Ethan Jewett)

About Breedlove

The Breedlove Guitar Company is celebrating Kim Breedlove’s 35th Anniversary as a builder of fine musical instruments. The celebration continues with the 2007 Breedlove Extraordinary Experience, a unique opportunity for musicians to visit Breedlove and design their own custom instrument, while enjoying the pleasures of the Bend, Oregon area. The Extraordinary Experience is the Guitarist's Vacation, Complete with the Ultimate Souvenir.

Contact Information

For questions concerning this release, please contact:

David Ingram
Marketing Communications
Breedlove Guitar Company
19885 8th Street, Bend OR 97701
communications@breedloveguitars.com
541-385-8339

©2008 Breedlove Guitar Company