Landscape Structures Inc. to Offer Play That Cools the Globe™
Tree planting program will offset CO2 produced by playsystem manufacturing
Delano, Minn. (April 17, 2008) — Landscape Structures Inc., the nation’s premier manufacturer of playground equipment for elementary schools and city parks, announces that it has entered into a partnership with American Forests, the nation’s oldest non-profit citizens’ conservation organization, to actively offset the carbon dioxide produced in the manufacturing of each of its playsystems. For each Evos™, PlayBooster® and PlayShaper® playsystem purchased in 2008, Landscape Structures will calculate the total amount of CO2 (a greenhouse gas) produced in the manufacturing process, and then have trees planted through American Forests’ Global ReLeaf initiative to offset that amount of CO2. Landscape Structures is the only playground equipment company in the world that compiles and publishes the amount of carbon dioxide that it produces in its manufacturing of each playsystem. In 2008, Landscape Structures expects to plant tens of thousands of trees at Global ReLeaf’s major tree restoration sites throughout the United States.
Planting trees is an ideal way of offsetting CO2 production, and is much more direct and broadly beneficial than purchasing carbon credits through the secondary market. Through the natural processes of photosynthesis and respiration, trees remove carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the atmosphere, produce oxygen and filter our water. In addition, trees shade our homes and streets, beautify our landscape and provide habitat for wildlife. By reducing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, trees produce a cooler planet and slow global warming.
According to Pat Faust, president of Landscape Structures, Global ReLeaf gives the company a compelling way for schools and parks to minimize their carbon footprint as they build or refurbish their playgrounds. “For the first time we are able to offer customers the playsystems they want without increasing their carbon footprint,” says Faust. “For cities that are concerned about the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, and in particular for the 830 cities whose mayors have signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, the Global ReLeaf partnership is a major step forward in environmental stewardship. We are honored to be working hand-in-hand with American Forests to have an immediate, positive impact on the wellness of our children and the health of our planet.”
American Forests is committed to growing a healthier world through healthier forest ecosystems. Since 1990, Global ReLeaf and American Forests have planted more than 25 million trees to replace those destroyed by forest fires, storms, commercial development and disease. According to executive director, Deborah Gangloff, American Forests is able to achieve this goal by nurturing productive relationships with businesses that share their vision of a healthier world. “Over the years our Global ReLeaf program has developed relationships with some very innovative companies such as Aveda, Eddie Bauer and IKEA, and we are now thrilled to be partnering with Landscape Structures,” says Gangloff. “Landscape Structures has a well-earned reputation in the parks and recreation industry as a leader in environmental stewardship, and their idea of offsetting their CO2 production through direct tree planting is yet another demonstration of this leadership. I fully expect that our nation’s elementary schools and municipal parks will embrace the notion that they can build healthy children and a better environment by choosing innovative playsystems from Landscape Structures.”
A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, American Forests was founded in 1875 by John Aston Warder, a physician and horticulturalist who was concerned about the condition and exploitation of our nation’s forests. American Forests was the first such citizen-based group in the United States and its founding marked the beginning of the nation’s conservation movement.
Landscape Structures has been continuously certified to ISO 14001 standards for environmental stewardship since 1998, nearly ten years ahead of any other domestic playground equipment manufacturer. In addition, since 1998 Landscape Structures has implemented kaizen (continuous improvement) practices in all facets of its manufacturing operations, enabling the company to conserve 2.3 million gallons of water, 660,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, 330,000 therms of natural gas and prevent more than 5,700 tons of solid waste from being deposited in landfills. In recognition of these accomplishments, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce presented Landscape Structures with its Waste Wise Leader Award in 2006—the organization’s highest honor for waste reduction and management.
Landscape Structures, an employee-owned company, has more than 300 employees and is represented by a network of nearly 50 independent sales organizations worldwide. For more than 37 years, Landscape Structures has demonstrated a commitment to healthy children, sustainable communities and a healthy environment. The company has installed more than 50,000 playgrounds in schools, parks and communities worldwide. Learn more about Landscape Structures’ unique playground products and environmental programs by visiting playlsi.com or calling 888.4FUNLSI.
For more information about American Forests’ Global ReLeaf initiative, please visit www.americanforests.org or call 800-368-5748.