Social & Environmental Objectives
Quality Assurance Policy
Data Privacy Statement

Social and Environmental Impact

We believe we all have a responsibility to our community, employees, clients, and the environment. This isn’t something we just talk about, it is something we believe. This is about creating long-term impact, about ensuring that we can continue doing what we do for as long as possible. You should be able to see it in everything we do as a company. And if you believe the same as we do, then we will see it in everything you do as an individual.

Objectives

Treatment has established social and environmental impact objectives that align with our Mission Statement. These objectives support decision-making about company strategy, processes and procedures, purchasing, giving practices, and other aspects of running the business.

These objectives, which are defined as part of annual reporting submitted to the Board of Directors and made available to all employees, are intended to make a positive and meaningful impact in the community. Progress toward and impact of the established objectives, which may be revised periodically, will be measured with specific metrics that adequately reflect the objectives and target outcomes.

Social Impact

Treatment strives to be a force for good. Pricing is established on a sliding scale based on various factors such as employee size, annual revenue, and/or locality as a means of promoting small, independent businesses and businesses owned by underrepresented groups in the greater Spokane area and surrounding regions.

Another goal of the social impact objectives is to assist nonprofit organizations in improving their community outreach by simplifying and enhancing their messaging, updating their websites and/or marketing materials, and other activities that help the organizations reach the members they serve, volunteers, and donors.

Treatment, with input from employees, selects certain community and/or environmental organizations to support with charitable contributions, volunteer time, reduce-priced services, or pro-bono work. As a formal commitment to the community and environment, each fiscal year Treatment donates 5% or more of company revenue (including in-kind donations) to the selected organizations. Organizations receiving cash contributions must be 501(C)(3) nonprofits. In-kind donations can be made to any business or project deemed to be in the common social or environmental good. For example, discounted services to worker cooperative or in-kind help to a discrete community project that may not be under the umbrella of a certified non-profit.

We have aligned our social impact and company giving with the UN Sustainability Goals (SDGs) in an effort to support globally identified priorities. We selected the following SDGs for our focus:

  • Sustainable cities and communities
  • Reduced inequality
  • Good health and wellbeing

These SDGs serve as the first aspect of our internal screening criteria. Organizations that do not address these SDGs may not be eligible for support and will require additional vetting and discussion amongst the Board.

In-kind donations will include services provided at a reduced rate relative to the average rates charged to for-profit clients that account for the top 50% of company revenue. The for-profit rates are based on the current pricing schedule.

Environmental Impact

Treatment is committed to sustaining and improving the environment. All aspects of company operations and services will consider the impact on the environment. This includes a commitment to recycling, waste disposal, and selection of suppliers who minimize their environmental impacts.

Clients will be encouraged to select suppliers — for example, web hosting companies — that are Certified B Corp or have a clearly defined commitment to sustaining and improving the environment.

Treatment maintains a program that ensures all cardboard, paper, plastics, aluminum, and glass are recycled. Recycling receptacles are provided as part of the coworking space where Treatment is located.

Electronic Waste (E-Waste)

All computers and other technology equipment are properly recycled once they have reached the end of their lifecycle. All equipment is properly recycled by a qualified electronics waste vendor to ensure limited risk of environmental damage.

All computer equipment that have the capacity to store data in volume (e.g., user data, files, etc.) will have local storage securely wiped before disposal. If data cannot be wiped, the internal storage system(s) will be manually removed and/or physically destroyed prior to relinquishing custody.

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous wastes are items that pose a health or environmental threat when not disposed of properly. It is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, sewers, or storm drains. Treatment is committed to properly disposing of its waste to protect the environment and public health.

Hazardous waste shall be collected separately and disposed of in accordance with local regulations at our local transfer station. If you have hazardous waste to dispose and are not sure how to properly dispose of it, talk with your manager. Common hazardous waste items that may occur in our offices that will be disposed of responsibly include:

  • Adhesives
  • Aerosols
  • Batteries
  • Fats, oil and grease
  • Fertilizers
  • Fluorescent lights
  • Mercury thermometers
  • Paint
  • Poisons
  • Solvents & thinners
  • Used batteries
  • Used motor oil, filters & anti-freeze

Supplier Purchasing Policy

Treatment has developed this supplier purchasing policy to encourage the purchase and use of materials, products, and services that incorporate environmental, social, community, and performance goals.

Scope:

Preference will be given to suppliers that meet robust third-party social and environmental certification criteria. Where reasonable, all significant suppliers should meet one or more of the following standards:

  • Certified B Corporation
  • Certified Washington Green Business
  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified
  • Energy Star Certified
  • 1% for the Planet Members
  • Other rigorous and independent third-party certifications will be considered on a case by case basis

When price and quality are equal, preference will also be given to independent, woman, or minority-owned suppliers physically located within 150 miles of Treatment’s location in Spokane, WA.

Treatment actively reduces its need for ongoing consumables. Remaining purchases are evaluated for sustainability, such as paper materials (business cards, printer paper, envelopes, files, etc.) that meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • At least 50% post-consumer recycled material
  • At least 50% rapidly renewable materials
  • At least 50% materials harvested or extracted and processed within 500 miles
  • At least 50% FSC certified paper products

In addition, Treatment must only procure necessary equipment. Of those necessities, Treatment must encourage the purchase of sustainable durable goods. These include:

  • Environmentally sustainable, electric-powered equipment, including office equipment, appliances, external power adapters, televisions, and other audio-visual equipment, must be ENERGY STAR certified, when feasible.
  • Secondhand electronics and equipment will be purchased when possible.
  • Environmentally preferable or secondhand furniture should be purchased, where feasible.

Goals:

Treatment must maintain sustainable purchasing that adheres to the criteria above for at least 80% of the total annual purchase of applicable ongoing consumable materials and durable goods, as deemed feasible.

Procedures and Strategies:

Treatment will be responsible for working with vendors to identify environmentally preferable products that meet the needs of the facility and operations.

Transparency and Employee Awareness

The objectives are shared with all employees at the time of hiring and reviewed at least twice annually with employees to create appropriate transparency and ensure all employees are able to effectively incorporate the objectives in their work. In sharing the objectives, appropriate training will be provided to further clarify the intent and how these objectives should be applied.

Impact Reporting

Progress toward Treatment’s social and environmental goals are monitored and formally reported at least annually. The reports will include performance relative to specific performance metrics and will provide insight into Treatment’s progress in achieving the goals.

The report is shared with and reviewed by the Board of Directors each time a report is produced. The Board of Directors provide input into the progress and may help the Executive Team adjust their strategy and/or the approach to meeting the goals.