We really do care, a lot. For the past couple years we have been making earth friendly changes within our business and personal life.This was not because it was 'the in thing' but because we began to educate ourselves about the state of our earth, and started thinking about raising children. We love our earth and want them to have a chance to appreciate it as we do. So we needed to change a lot, and we have.

We couldn't be happier with this "Going Green" trend, even if certain companies only go this route for financial gain, its a bandwagon to encourage. As Figs & Ginger has been growing we were able to take baby steps towards becoming green. Recently we have been given the opportunity to stop those baby steps and full on run into our dream of being an Eco-Friendly Family Business and are delighted to announce we are finally able to call ourselves a "Green Business" and here is what makes us so.

1. We use a minimum of 50% Recycled/Reclaimed Silver & Gold. Any stock silver we use (i.e. not cast items) is 100% recycled.
2. We have switched to Bio-degradable flux's and Citric Acid pickle. This is much better for our bodies too!
3. All our literature is printed on 80-100% post consumer product, much of it with soy based inks. The paper we purchase is made in a hydro-electric powered plant.
4. We recycle of course.
5. For our upcoming wedding line and in custom work we refuse to work with diamonds on an human rights and environmental level. (unless they are handed down in the family.)
6. Our studio (which is in our yard) has a nice south facing window and skylight so that we don't need lights in the day.
7. We plan to heat our studio primarily using a passive solar window box heater that we will build.
8. We try and make it easy for people to find shops that carry us near them so that they can shop locally instead of through our site. Check out our "Where to Buy" Section to see if we're in a shop near you!
9. Our padded mailers are 90% recycled, 50% post consumer.

Here are some words from Hoover&Strong:
"The Jewelry Industry Is A Dirty Business
We are in a business where all of our products come from the Earth, and the jewelry industry, in particular, relies heavily upon mining companies to generate source materials for their products.
The sad fact is � mining is a very "dirty" business and the production of one beautiful gold ring will generate four tons of environmental waste, contaminating water and lands which endangers the health and lives of humans and animals.
The negative impacts of mining have forced people and businesses alike to take a long, hard look at where their products come from, how they are made, and to what extent they are impacting the Earth, its lands and its people."

"Recycled and Beautiful Hoover & Strong, a truly earth-minded refiner and manufacturer, has provided socially and environmentally-responsible products and services for over 95 years. It is our moral obligation to continually respect basic human rights around the world and to protect the environment by conserving energy and recycling. We want you to know that all precious metals at Hoover & Strong are recycled from the Earth�s existing metal supply, which means we DO NOT BUY metals from mining companies. We don�t believe in it and, as a refiner, we just don�t have to. Over half our metal supply comes entirely from scrap metal purchased from jewelers. The remainder of our supply comes from other refineries that also recycle scrap metal. We feel GREAT about that and you can too!"

Aren't they great?! Please visit their page to learn more Hoover&Stong

So there are a few of our business decisions for you. If you have any questions or ideas on how we can better our Green Efforts we would love to hear from you. Thanks for reading and we encourage you to educate yourself on the state of things and try to make some life changes also. Have a lovely day!