Environmental Guiding Principles
AbleNet is committed to using sustainable resources, reducing our carbon footprint, and being forward-thinking in how decisions we make today may impact the environment.
Some of the initiatives we have already put in place are:
- We have revamped our product packaging to use boxes and paper manuals made from recycled content.
- We have reduced electricity used in our distribution center by installing skylights that let in natural light during the day and replacing all light fixtures with low-consumption LED lights.
- We recycle all electronics that are no longer usable.
- We have moved to electronic invoicing and payments to reduce the amount of paper consumed and the fuel used to distribute the mail.
- We protect product shipments with air pillow packing material made from recycled plastic. The protective air pillows are recyclable and reduce the number of products that need to be re-shipped due to damage caused in transit.
- We analyzed our shipments and optimized the box sizes we use to reduce the amount of air shipped with each order. Also, we consolidate shipments to reduce the amount of packaging material used and the fuel used to distribute multiple packages.
- We follow the guidelines of REACH, Prop 65 RoHS, and CPSIA and do not use materials of serious concern in our products.
- We donate computer equipment that is no longer used by the AbleNet team to PCs for People. PCs for People removes all data from the equipment and then refurbishes and donates the equipment to low-income families. Learn more about PCs for People at https://www.pcsforpeople.org/.
- We reduce the number of inbound shipments to AbleNet by consolidating shipments from multiple vendors.
- Our redesigned QuickTalker Freestyle speech device packaging, on average, uses 40% less cardboard than our previous packaging. We also removed the foam and plastic bubble wrap from the packaging. These changes created a much smaller package for shipping to our customers, saving on fuel to ship the QuickTalker Freestyle.