"In all things in life, choose your conscience."

Directions East has been involved with the idea “servicing” our community. We have always hired locally and annually financially support such local chapters as the United Way. On a wider scale we have contributed to such organizations as Americares and Habitat for Humanity. We were involved with disaster relief for Hurricane Katrina by providing labor and arranging transportation of back packs filled with school supplies. This is not about "bragging rights" but rather a plea for all who are more fortunate, personal and businesses alike, to "give" either at the local or international level in whatever way they feasibly can. This "human element" should always be part of a business plan. Besides it gives great comfort to both: the giver and the receiver.

However, something has been missing in this equation concerning our production of furniture. Basically it is time for us to make a more concerted effort to promote within our production lines such sustainable practices that assure a better environment for future generations to come. We must prevent the further depletion of all forests (not just rainforests!). Forest management such as or reforestation is essential. The methods of production that aid to further air or water pollution must be limited and eventually eliminated over time. Be conscious of those toxic materials in production (such as glues) or even packing (such as Styrofoam) that do not decompose and only add to the already overfilled landfills.

At present we are a student, learning and improving on our future product decisions. We have already eliminated such processing as chrome plating and the use of polyresins or toxic glues and paints in production, both contributors to air and water pollution. We are looking into the use of recycled paper for certain home office products. As a member of the Furniture Sustainable Council we are learning about what woods to avoid because of its possible extinction as well getting certification for the woods and forests we do use, assuring us that forest management or replanting is involved. At our current design stage we are making a concerted effort to work with bamboo, a plant that grows quite quickly and easily.

We have a big challenge ahead of us! But challenges make life exciting! Our challenge is to maintain these concepts in the future development of our products .We must make products that are both acceptable in design and cost to the end user while making them aware of our decision.