The Green Business Program:

The Bay Area Green Business Program verifies that businesses meet higher standards of environmental performance. It is a partnership of government agencies and utilities that help Bay Area businesses comply with environmental regulations and take actions to conserve resources, prevent pollution, minimize waste, and reduce their carbon footprint. More than 1,800 businesses and public agencies have been certified since 1997. Learn more about the Bay Area Green Business Program.

Our Professional Affiliations:

GlyphGuy is proudly associated with the following organizations:

> National Association for Interpretation
The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the profession of heritage interpretation, including those who work at parks, museums, nature centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums and commercial tour companies. GlyphGuy is a small business member.

> No Child Left Inside Coalition
The No Child Left Inside Coalition is a broad-based organization made up of more than 600 member groups from across the United States including: environmental, educational, business, public health, outdoor recreation and conservation groups. With tens of millions of members represented, the NCLI speaks for a diverse group of Americans who believe young people should receive a strong education about their natural world.

> Outdoor Industry Association
The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the premier trade association for companies in the active outdoor recreation business. Outdoor Industry Association seeks to ensure a healthy and diverse specialty retail and supply chain based on quality, innovation and service.

You Are Here: GlyphGuy Home > About > GlyphGuy's Green Work

GlyphGuy's Green Work

GlyphGuy is a small, family-owned company that works to reduce waste, conserve energy and prevent pollution in all business activities.

We are very proud of being a certified 'Green Business' by the San Francisco Bay Green Business Program since 2007.

Since we began making backpacks in 2002 our ultimate goal was to become a zero-waste company. Being a zero-waste company means that all 'waste' streams created in the production, use and end-of-life for our products can become a 'feed' stream for someone else.

When we started, we quickly realized that making a backpack that combined functionality, a healthy workplace, quality workmanship, benefited families and children, and was environmentally sensible were tasks that would take years to accomplish. We began with simple steps and continue working diligently towards the more complex.

Goals for our backpacks include:

• Our first generation backpacks (2002 to 2003) focused on functionality.
• The second generation backpacks (2004 to 2005) focused on fair labor practices.
• The third generation backpacks (2006-2007) focused on workmanship.
• The fourth generation backpacks, (2008-current) will transition away from PVC fabrics to materials that are more environmentally friendly.

Future goals for our backpacks include:

• Moving completely away from oil-based fabrics.
• Use of fabrics and materials that are biodegradable, or can be fully recycled.
• Bringing a larger part of the production in-house, or at least to the United States.
• A dedicated office space with energy sourced entirely from renewables.

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We believe that actions can speak louder than words. Here are some of our green actions we have taken to reach our goals:

Labor and Quality Standards

It took several years of research until we located a sewing organization (in Vietnam) who not only produces top-quality work, but also has taken the time and expense to become certified and audited by independent ISO-9000 and SA-8000 organizations. The ISO-9000 is an international standard for quality management overseen by the non-governmental (ISO) International Organization for Standardization. The SA-8000 are international labor rights standards overseen by Social Accountability International who seeks to improve workplace communities by developing and implementing socially responsible practices.

Testing for Lead and Other Metals

We test our zippers, fabrics and backpack components for Lead. First, we source from the best by using industry leading YKK brand zippers in all of our backpacks. We began testing in 2007 using a hand held X-ray fluorescence (XRF) device. The XRF analyzer uses X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry to detect certain elements as Lead, Cadmium, Mercury etc. Our zippers passed, but we wanted further verification. Beginning in 2008 we worked with an independent forensic laboratory to analyze our zippers, fabrics and backpack components. Forensic testing allows for results in quantities of parts per million (ppm). Today, we continue to work with a forensic lab to test our components and fabrics. The learn more, and see test results visit GlyphGuy's Backpack Safety Blog.

Fabric

In 2008 GlyphGuy began replacing the PVC (polyvinyl chloride) fabrics on our backpacks with alternatives. Most backpacks use PVC based fabrics because the material is durable, long-lasting and rugged. However, the manufacture and end-of-life of PVC fabrics are not earth-friendly. PVC additives, called 'phthalates' are sometimes added to PVC to make the materials soft and flexible. These materials do not bond well to the PVC and can 'out-gas' into the air etc. A growing body of scientific evidence is showing that sustained exposure to such 'out-gasing' can contribute to respiratory concerns adn health issues. We feel other fabrics are better suited for our backpacks and the families who use our backpacks. To view the test results on our current fabrics visit our Backpack Safety Blog.

Chlorine Free, Recycled Content and Wind Energy

GlyphGuy's catalogs are printed on recycled content, post-consumer waste and processed chlorine free. Inks are soy-based. We work with local printers that have obtained the Bay Area 'Green Business' certification. Trade show displays originate from recycled materials when possible, including recycled scrap lumber from a locally operated lumberyard. Our trade show banners are sourced from a local Bay Area Green certified business. The server for GlyphGuy's web presence is powered with 100% wind energy.

Other Projects

On occasion, GlyphGuy has produced patches and other items for our National and State park customers. The thread used in our patches are made using Oeko-Tex 100 standards. The Oeko-Tex 100 Standard comprehensively addresses the Human Ecology component of textile products. It evaluates and screens for any harmful substances present within processed textiles intended to come into contact with consumers.

Junior Ranger

GlyphGuy donates a portion from the sale of each NPS Junior Ranger backpack to the National Park Service for the continuation and advancement of Junior Ranger programs. Since early 2008, when GlyphGuy began this project, we have donated $2,000.00 dollars to further this cause.

Park Graphics

Our marketing graphics are more than just colorful images, they help park associations and select park concessionaires generate much needed revenue for park related programming. Park associations are the non-profit 'friends' groups, who are responsible for visitor education and interpretive programs at State and National Parks. Several associations have utilized our graphics on their own products which fund outdoor education and youth programs.