What is Green America?
For those unfamiliar, Green America is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. They harness economic power—the strength of consumers, businesses, and investors—to create a world that works for all.
Becoming a Green America Business Member means we have committed to a set of rigorous standards and principles. It signifies our alignment with a network of businesses that are actively working to:
- Reduce environmental footprints
- Ensure fair labor and equitable practices
- Support strong, local communities
- Advance transparency and ethical conduct
For us, it’s about being part of a movement that proves business can be a force for profound positive change.
Why We Chose This Path
Our values have always been clear: Creativity, Community, and Conscience. We chose to pursue this partnership because we wanted to hold ourselves accountable to a higher standard. It’s the natural next step in our journey as a Portland-based agency that cares deeply about the Pacific Northwest ethos of environmental stewardship and social equity.
This formal commitment pushes us to continuously improve our internal practices and empowers us to better serve the growing number of clients who are building purpose-driven brands. We’re not just talking about change; we’re building the framework to achieve it.
What This Means in Practice
So, what does being a Green America Partner actually look like day-to-day at Altair? It means we are actively implementing changes across our operations:
- Sustainable Sourcing: Prioritizing vendors and partners who demonstrate strong environmental and social records, from printing to swag.
- Low-Waste Operations: Minimizing our carbon footprint and office waste, and advocating for digital-first solutions where appropriate.
- Ethical Creative Briefs: Integrating sustainability and social impact questions into our client onboarding process to help build more purposeful campaigns from the ground up.
- Community Engagement: Dedicating a portion of our time and resources to pro-bono work for local environmental and social justice nonprofits.
What This Means for Our Clients
Partnering with Altair now means you’re working with a creative team that is fluent in the language of sustainability. If your brand is committed to reducing its environmental impact or telling an authentic story of social good, we speak your language.
This membership enhances our ability to:
- Develop Authentic Narratives: We can help you communicate your brand’s purpose and impact in a way that resonates deeply with today’s conscious consumers.
- Make Eco-Conscious Choices: From recommending sustainable materials for packaging and print collateral to optimizing digital campaigns for energy efficiency, we bake green thinking into our creative recommendations.
- Build Trust: Aligning with a certified green partner like us strengthens your own brand’s credibility and commitment to values that matter.
Our Vision for the Future
Becoming a Green America Partner is a milestone, not a finish line. We are committed to a journey of continuous improvement. We will be sharing regular updates on our progress, the challenges we face, and the impact we’re making—right here on this blog.
We invite you to join us.
If you are a business leader, a startup founder, or a brand manager who believes that commerce and conscience can—and must—go hand-in-hand, let’s talk. Let’s create work that matters.
Work that drives growth for you, and contributes to a healthier, more just world for people and the planet.
