The Collectors’ Information Bureau (CIB) is a trade organization comprised of the top manufacturers and companies in the collectible field. It is also recognized as an authoritative, knowledgeable research center that reports on news and trends in the collectible industry. The CIB also publishes a magazine – Collector Editions – and featured in the fall issue is an article that focuses on what steps collectible companies are taking to walk the tightrope between what is “economically viable” and “environmentally feasible.” The writer interviewed spokespeople from different companies, asking for their thoughts about “The Green Movement,” and, more specifically, what those companies were doing to incorporate environmentally aware routines into their daily lives. The Trail of Painted Ponies was honored to be one of those companies consulted for the article.

An excerpt from the article follows:

“I would personally like to encourage all businesses to develop a ‘green policy’ because it is the right thing to do,” Karlynn Keyes, the company’s vice president, attests. “Consumers and collectors need to insist that businesses behave responsibly, and businesses need to act responsibly. If we can develop this ‘checks and balance system,’ everyone will benefit, especially the planet!”

To this end, The Trail of Painted Ponies has taken several strategic steps to lessen their adverse impact on the environment. “In our licensing agreements, we clearly state we want each of our licensees to be environmentally sensitive to reduce, reuse, and recycle. We work with companies that have sound environmental practices. Our printer in Washington State just received another award for his ‘green’ printing systems. In the office, we all recycle plastic and paper and ink cartridges. We also purchased a large water cooler and eliminated individual plastic water bottles… We are daily focusing on reducing and recycling, and it is part of our business culture. It’s not just a term that we use lightly in advertising and marketing.”

“We began as a philanthropic and artistic partnership that stressed the importance of giving back to both nonprofit and environmental organizations,” Karlynn Keyes asserts. “We continue that tradition today.”