Our Policy

SUSTAINABILITY

MISGIF Environmental Policy

MISGIF is committed to doing business in a way that is environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and supports a vibrant local economy in our Arizona community. The content in this environmental policy has been agreed upon by the MISGIF CEO Jessie Whitfield and MISGIF staff who will work together as a team to ensure the policy becomes a part of how MISGIF conducts business. The purpose of this policy is to be transparent about what MISGIF’s environmental goals and objectives are. The hope is that through consistent action MISGIF will have a positive impact on its local environment and community as well as inspire others in the Arizona events industry to adopt more sustainable small business practices that promote an events industry that is more eco-friendly, socially just and supportive of a thriving local economy.

Our Goals

Our mission at MISGIF is to create memorable and meaningful photo booth experiences that are better for parties and the planet. While we are known for the fun and interactive photos, GIFs and videos we TAKE at events, ultimately our business is driven by our desire to GIVE back, whether that’s by capturing all-digital memories at events in strategically sustainable way, adopting more eco-friendly small businesses practices that protect our local environment and wildlife , making charitable contributions to Arizona nonprofits doing amazing work in our local community, or shopping local and supporting diverse small business owners.

As Arizona’s first Green Certified Photo Booth Business, we are focusing on the following areas:

ENVIRONMENTAL

At MISGIF we believe less is more and embrace a zero-waste approach to running our small photo booth business.

  • Waste Diversion

    With over 250 million tons of waste contributed to landfills each year that further exacerbates the climate crisis our goals when it comes to waste are simple — to avoid creating waste when possible and to divert any waste we do create from the landfill. MISGIF is currently working toward these goals currently in the following ways:

    • By encouraging our clients to opt for all-digital Arizona photo booth services we are able to divert non-recyclable materials used to produce printed photos from being sent to the landfill

    • By selling, donating or recycling responsibly “retired” photo booth equipment, backdrops, props and office items MISGIF has been able to minimize its event and office waste being sent to the landfill

    • By avoiding single-use items whenever possible and opting for reusable items MISGIF has been able to minimize the amount of single-use waste being sent to the landfill — some examples of sustainable swaps we have made include:

    • By responsibly recycling plastic items that can be dropped off at a local Plastic Film Recycling location nearby MISGIF has been able to minimize the amount of plastic being sent to the landfill

  • Energy Conservation

    Because energy usage directly affects the environment (fuel is required to generate energy which results in the production of greenhouse gases and air pollution) our goal when it comes to energy is simple — to minimize the amount of energy we use. MISGIF is currently working toward this goal currently in the following ways:

    • By equipping all of MISGIF’s photo booths and office lights with energy efficient LED-lights MISGIF has been able to minimize the amount of energy used at events and at the office

    • By unplugging event and office equipment when not in use and relying on natural sunlight MISGIF has been able to minimize the amount of energy used at the office

    • By washing all backdrops, props and cleaning cloths in-house with an energy-efficient washer and hang drying backdrops MISGIF has been able to minimize the amount of energy used at the office

    • By monitoring its monthly energy bill and striving to use less energy, as well as outside of peak times

  • Water Conservation

    Water is our most precious resource, especially in Arizona where we are experiencing a 25+ year drought, therefore our goal when it comes to water conservation is simple — to minimize the amount of water we use. MISGIF is currently working toward this goal currently in the following ways:

    • By monitoring its monthly water bill and striving to use less water, as well as outside of peak times

  • Toxics Elimination

    Because so many everyday items contain toxic chemicals, many of which end up getting dumped at the landfill and in turn pollute the environment and are harmful to wildlife, our goal when it comes to toxic elimination is simple — to avoid using items that contain toxic materials. MISGIF is currently working toward this goal currently in the following ways:

    • By encouraging our clients to opt for all-digital Arizona photo booth services we are able to divert non-recyclable materials used to produce printed photos (which contain toxic chemicals) from being sent to the landfill and polluting the environment and endangering wildlife

    • By ensuring all cleaning products are EPA approved

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

At MISGIF we believe that we have a responsibility as a small business to care for and actively participate in our community.

  • Community Engagement

    Positive change happens when action is taken, therefore our goal is simple — to be an advocate for sustainable small business and event solutions by participating as an active member of Arizona organizations focused on sustainability and social responsibility and contributing to local Arizona nonprofits focused on sustainability and environmental initiatives. MISGIF is currently working toward these goals currently in the following ways:

  • Continuing Education

    Knowledge is power, therefore our goals are simple — to strengthen our understanding of sustainability and how it applies to the way we do business as well as to share everything we learn with others so that they can join us in adopting more sustainable small business practices and event operations. MISGIF is currently working toward these goals currently in the following ways:

    • MISGIF will participate in quarterly educational opportunities focused on sustainability and social responsibility

    • Amplifying the importance of sustainability and social responsibility in our messaging to clients

LOCAL-FIRST

  • Local Sourcing

    Supporting small Arizona businesses strengthens our local economy, therefore our goal is simple — to source goods and services locally whenever possible. MISGIF is currently working toward these goals currently in the following ways:

    • MISGIF sources materials, goods and services from Arizona small businesses whenever possible, especially ones that are woman and minority owned and value sustainability

Our Objectives

In order to meet our above goals, we have come up with specific measures in each category that will reduce impacts on the environment and the community while demonstrating to our clients and the event industry that we are not only committed to our goals, but transparent about our progress towards them.

Our objectives for MISGIF in 2022 are:

ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY ACTION OBJECTIVES

  • Waste Diversion

    Replacing all single-use items with reusable, recyclable or compostable items

  • Energy Conservation

    Lower our energy consumption by 20%

  • Water Conservation

    Lower our water consumption by 20%

  • Toxics Elimination

    Replace all items containing toxic chemicals with all-natural, eco-friendly items

  • Community Engagement

    Participate in community environmental action events and volunteer our time a minimum of 8 hours per month at local Arizona nonprofits

  • Continuing Education

    Complete four quarterly educational trainings focused on sustainability and two bi-annual trainings with our team

  • Local Sourcing

    Source 75% of all goods from local Arizona small businesses

Our Future Plans

While MISGIF works on improving its sustainable practices we are looking to the future to develop projects that will further improve and transform the way we do business and operate at events. As such, some of our longer-term goals include:

  • Minimizing our carbon footprint further by reducing our dependence on items shipped from overseas

  • Creating an Arizona Sustainable Event Industry Guide & Community in partnership with Local First Arizona

  • Committing 50% of our GIF Back Club donations to nonprofits focused on sustainability

  • Investing in continued sustainability education and community action

Since its inception, MISGIF has always been passionate about reimagining how photo booths can be used, so naturally we are excited to embark on this journey of reimagining how we at MISGIF do business, and how the events industry as a whole does business. We hope you will join us in our pursuit of a more environmentally friendly, socially responsible Arizona events industry, one that supports a vibrant local economy in our Arizona community, celebrates underrepresented members of our industry, and ultimately does more good than harm to our local environment and wildlife.

MISGIF

12/18/23

Recent in STYLE