Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at ASI
At American Sealants, Inc. (ASI), we believe in making a conscious, mindful effort to reduce our impact on planet Earth. With our corporate social responsibility program, employees feel empowered to choose activities that make a difference.
Plus, there are multiple ways we make a difference as a company! For example, we limit single-use items (especially plastics), use eco-friendly cleaning products, and we installed solar panels for clean energy. Plus, we have updated our shipping processes to use as many green and eco-friendly shipping solutions as possible.
In short, ASI is wholly committed to preserving the future of humankind and the planet we inhabit. That’s why we remain committed to uphold what we call our “Four Es of Excellence.”
ASI’s Four Es of Excellence
Environment
Energy
Ethics
Employees
#1 E of Excellence: ENVIRONMENT
ASI is committed to being as environmentally friendly as humanly possible.
- Our leadership team and staff members contribute to the environment individually with “small everyday” acts of conservation in their personal and work lives. For instance, in our company’s cafeteria, we have instituted the use of biodegradable or compostable tableware to eliminate single-use plastic.
- We reduce, reuse, and recycle throughout our office. For example, to reduce plastic bottle waste, we provide filtered water and ensure that all employees have a refillable water bottle — we will even supply one if necessary.
- We are keenly aware that a healthy ocean regulates climate and reduces numerous impacts of climate change. While working in the ocean, our team routinely collects litter and debris left by other people before us because we love and care for our ocean and its population!
#2 E of Excellence: ENERGY
ASI actively pursues opportunities to conserve energy and foster the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change. The ASI leadership team continuously seeks to use power more efficiently and incorporate clean energy practices into our home office and client job sites.
- In 2013, we installed solar panels to power our office and significantly decreased our carbon footprint.
- To the degree possible, the promotional and merchandise items we use for marketing efforts (e.g., reusable grocery bags, metal straws, water bottles, and thermal cups) are ethically sourced and eco-friendly from companies that demonstrate the conservation of energy and natural resources by reducing pollution output and carbon emissions. In addition, we actively endeavor to select merchandise manufactured by suppliers with sustainable manufacturing standards as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA).
#3 E of Excellence: ETHICS
ASI selects vendors and other suppliers that demonstrate ethical business practices and ethical treatment of animals, and we aim to serve clients with a record of high ethical standards.
- We work with zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Overseeing AZA’s accreditation process is the Accreditation Commission - a group of sixteen experienced and trained experts in operations, animal welfare and husbandry, and veterinary medicine. These experts are sworn to maintain complete impartiality in their judgments when examining each zoo or aquarium that applies for AZA accreditation to determine if AZA standards are consistently met. Only those zoos and aquariums that earn AZA accreditation can become members of AZA. In addition, the AZA has particular criteria for the ethical treatment of aminals, including their living conditions and surrounding space. For more information, please visit AZA.org.
- We strive to use materials that are animal-safe. We are limited with vendors, so we don’t require them to have an environmental or sustainability program but use vendors that do as often as possible. e.g., We work regularly with DOWSIL™ (formerly Dow Corning Silicone Sealants) because they are committed to upholding the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program standards. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. Learn more about LEED.
#4 E of Excellence: EMPLOYEES
With the utmost intentionality, ASI has worked tirelessly to develop an exceptional company culture where all employees can do meaningful work in a positive environment. In the ASI work culture, excellence is the norm. Personal growth and doing one’s best are the standard, not the exception. Integrity, loyalty, and trust can flourish in our workplace, and “doing it right the first time” is the measure established by our leadership team for getting things done.
- ASI is proud to provide a SAFETY-FIRST, OSHA-COMPLIANTwork environment to protect our most important resource: our employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) was passed to prevent workers from being killed or seriously harmed at work. This law created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards. OSHA also provides information, training, and assistance to employers and workers.
- ASI celebrates and encourages the empowerment of women in the workplace. We are proud to be certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). WBENC certification is the most widely recognized and respected national certification for women-owned businesses in the United States.
- Employee activism and participation in serving others are activities highly encouraged and supported at ASI; we are always looking for ways to give back and build community and family. For instance, ASI supports and participates in construction projects through Hug It Forward, a multicultural organization operating at the grassroots level with an emphasis in Guatemala.
The organization facilitates education and awareness around improved trash management methods by constructing “bottle classrooms” using eco-bricks: plastic bottles stuffed with inorganic trash. During each bottle school construction project, entire communities come together to build a more environmentally responsible educational space for their future.
In collaboration with the 501(c)(3) Hug It Forward, a team of ASI employees traveled to Guatemala to help build a “bottle school” where children can learn in a safe environment. Our team also helped educate the community about better ways to eliminate trash and recycle as much as possible.
Community Investment
The team at ASI is committed to social responsibility and doing our part to elevate and grow the world around us.
Association Of Zoos & Aquariums
The members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are a network of more than 6,000 committed zoo and aquarium professionals, organizations, and suppliers world-wide. All share a commitment to wildlife conservation, education, science and animal care. www.AZA.org
Hug It Forward
Hug It Forward is a grass-roots organization that facilitates education and awareness by empowering communities in Latin America to build “bottle schools”. Bottle schools are schools built using “eco-bricks”: plastic bottles stuffed with inorganic trash. www.HugItForward.org
Kiwanis Club Of Grand Junction
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. American Sealants CEO, Heather Smith, is an active member in service projects like Pancake Day, raising upwards of $60,000 a year for college scholarships, Girls on the Run, Western Slope Center for Children and many others. www.Kiwanis-GJ.org
Aquarium & Zoo Facilities Association
The AZFA is a non-profit organization made up of facility professionals from aquariums and zoos across the country and abroad. Our members range from architects, engineers, and management personnel to carpenters, electricians, plumbers and other facility professionals responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of aquarium and zoo facilities and related equipment.
www.AZFA.org