Our Local Impact
We’re proud to participate in the following local programs:
- Clark County Green Business Program
This initiative recognizes local businesses who are environmentally sustainable and provides resources that promote long-lasting environmentally aware efforts. - Clark Public Utilities Green Lights Program
This partnership contributes to the development of regional renewable energy projects. It also provides local education focused on energy conservation and renewable energy generation.
Climate Neutral Certified
We’re proud to be Climate Neutral Certified by Change Climate Project three years in a row. As a Climate Neutral Certified company, we’ve measured our annual emissions (165 tCO2e), contributed to climate change solutions to support global net-zero, and started taking real action to reduce our emissions. Each project is independently certified to ensure it meets global offset standards.
Our 2023 and 2024 contributions to the Unitor REDD+ Project protects forests located in one of the regions with the highest deforestation rate in the Amazon Biome: the municipality of Lábrea, in Amazonas. The project area covers 99,000ha of forest, as a consortium of 15 neighboring properties has come together to protect forests, biodiversity, and animal species from further deforestation. The project leads to annual emissions reductions of over 500,000 tCO₂ over its lifetime. In addition to significant nature and biodiversity benefits, the local communities are trained in sustainable forest management, fire safety, health, hygiene and more.
To learn more about this initiative, visit changeclimate.org.
What We’re Doing Right Now
Community Solar
We're proud to be one of the first businesses participating in our local community solar project with Clark Public Utilities. We've invested in 10 kW of clean and renewable production through solar panels placed optimally at the Port of Camas-Washougal in conjunction with other business, residential and government energy users. Over the expected lifespan of 25 years, the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) produced through this project will be retired on our behalf to ensure accurate environmental accounting.
Wind Energy
To complement our solar energy generation investment, the remainder of our annual energy consumption is certified renewable through Green-e® Energy Certified RECs that support the Rivière-du-Moulin Wind Project in Quebec. RECs play an important role in accounting, tracking, and assigning ownership to renewable electricity generation and use. On a shared grid—whether the electricity comes from on-site or off-site resources—RECs are how we substantiate our renewable electricity use.
We’re Sponsoring Neighborhood Tree Planting
We at Exquisite Crystals are thrilled to support Friends of Trees in their Neighborhood Trees Program, which focuses on planting street and yard trees in Oregon and SW Washington. Specifically, we are sponsoring an event planting trees in the Arnada, Carter Park, Esther Short, Fruit Valley, Hough, Lincoln, Northwest, Rose Village, and Shumway neighborhoods. The program offers an impressive selection of city-approved trees sourced from local tree farms, ensuring the highest quality for the neighborhoods. The program also includes delivery, hole digging, planting assistance from neighborhood volunteers, mulch, stakes, and follow-up maintenance checks and tree care tips.
As an environmentally conscious company, we recognize the importance of trees in creating a healthy urban green space and fighting climate change. Trees have numerous benefits such as reducing air pollution, providing shade, and improving mental health. Through this program, Friends of Trees is not only providing these benefits but also empowering communities to take charge of their environment. The program includes educational work that increases the communities' access to, and connection with, nature, promoting a sustainable future.
Moreover, what is unique about this program is the people-power involved. Thousands of volunteers come together every season to plant the trees, allowing for community engagement and collaboration. Exquisite Crystals is proud to contribute to this program and support neighborhood efforts in creating a more livable and sustainable environment. With our joint efforts, we are making a difference, one tree at a time, and we invite everyone to be a part of this incredible initiative.
Impact Report
We create an annual impact report to update all our stakeholders on the status of our social and environmental impact. Read our 2023 Impact Report.
We’re Giving Back 1% for the Planet
At Exquisite Crystals, we are committed to doing our part to make a positive impact on the environment. That's why we're incredibly proud to be a member of 1% for the Planet, a global movement that allows businesses and individuals to support environmental solutions through everyday actions.
Our commitment to 1% for the Planet means that we donate 1% of our total sales to environmental nonprofits, regardless of our annual profitability. This is not something we do ad hoc or based on our bottom line. We make a conscious effort each year to set aside a portion of our sales to support organizations that are doing important work to protect our planet.
Our dedication to giving back has resulted in contributions that have helped fund $250 million in environmental nonprofit solutions to date. This is a testament to the impact that small businesses like ours can have when we come together to support a common cause.
By becoming a member of 1% for the Planet, we have made a public commitment to giving back to the environment that has given us so much. Our sales and donation plans are reviewed annually to certify our efforts, providing customers with the assurance that they've made a responsible and sustainable choice by supporting us. When you see the 1% for the Planet logo, you can trust that we've made a commitment to give back to the environment and contribute towards a better world.
How Can You Help?
Environmental care is a group effort. Here’s how you can help:
- Reuse or recycle the packaging materials from your purchase. Almost all our shipping supplies are eco-friendly.
- Find an appropriate recycling option for bubble wrap and mailers. Find your nearest location here.
- Compost or dissolve biodegradable packing peanuts. They’re designed to be zero waste.
- Reuse or recycle cardboard boxes.