Eleek is a small design and manufacturing company that places an emphasis on producing environmentally beneficial lighting, sinks, tile, and hardware products. Not only is it a member of the Oregon Natural Step Network, an organization that provides guidelines for improving a company’s environmental footprint, Eleek was also awarded best practices by Portland Office of Sustainable Development in April 2006. Some of the company’s standard practices include:

• A facility powered on 100% habitat-safe, green electricity.
• Its silicone molds are used for several thousand pours – more uses than required. When those pours are finished, the silicone is recycled.
• Product patterns are crafted from a combination of discarded lumber, salvaged wood and new wood of which at least 70% is constituted of discarded or salvaged material.
• An aggressive recycling and garbage output reduction program.
• Packaging is minimized and recycled products are purchased whenever possible. Shipping containers and shipping pallets are reused whenever possible.
• Product castings are made of recycled metals whenever possible. Shipping containers and shipping pallets are reused whenever possible.
• Product castings are made of recycled metals whenever possible with the highest possible post-consumer content. All other scrap metal is recycled.
• Its light fixtures are designed and manufactured with state-of-the-art, energy-saving lamps and electronics.
• Some 80% of its supplies are sourced from within 50 mi. of their shop for reduced fuel consumption.
• Reclaimed or salvaged lumber is employed for architectural beams and custom furniture.
• Any manufactured product can be returned at the end of its life.

For more inforrmation on Eleek’s environmental philosophy, visit www.eleekinc.com. For more information on the Oregon Natural Step Network, go to www.ortns.org.