Social Marketing with a Flair for Sustainability

Uptown Studios, a Sacramento-based business specializing in marketing services (website design, social media management and training) is getting creative not only with their services, but also in their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. In September 2016, the business relocated to a green building with energy-efficient lighting and appliances, as well as low-flow toilets and faucets. This energy efficient building design now serves as a model for the surge of up-and-coming businesses this neighborhood is experiencing.

Uptown Studios is working with City of Sacramento to install bicycle racks in front of their building to better support the bike commuter community. Uptown Studios recycles its compost through the Green Restaurants Alliance Sacramento (GRAS), a local composting collaborative. They have added low-water-use to the front of the building using compost from GRAS, turning local restaurant food waste into healthy plants.

Aside from building improvements, the Uptown Studios team regularly discusses new and creative ways to reduce their carbon footprint by reducing their energy consumption and waste. As a result of these brainstorming sessions, the team has cut out single-use kitchenware by switching to glass plates, mugs, and cloth towels. Staff are encouraged to commute by bike, walking, or public transit and now over a third of Uptown employees choose this option. Through these efforts, Uptown Studios has created an environmentally conscious work culture that is fun and provides employees with workplace satisfaction.

Most importantly, the Uptown Studios team is using day-to-day client interactions to share their eco-minded actions with the surrounding community. Staff have found that simply recommending that clients opt for digital alternatives, or minimize the number of prints they need, can go a long way.