Sweetwater's Environmental Commitment
Creating a Healthy World and Work Environment Since 1979
Our dedication to serving the community extends from preserving the Earth’s natural resources with our aggressive recycling programs all the way to maintaining a safe, healthy work environment with plenty of natural light. In fact, it has been a driving principle of our organization since Chuck Surack founded the company in 1979.
Our Commitment to Sustainability Started with Our Founder, Chuck Surack
Ever since I was a little boy in Cub and Boy Scouts, I have been passionate about the environment. There I learned to respect the environment and always leave things better than I find them. It’s a practice I still follow today.
That’s precisely why Sweetwater continues to do MUCH more than many will ever know to protect our precious resources — selecting eco-friendly paper stock and ink, offering paper straws, recycling, and on, and on. We pack with and use air and bubbles as much as possible, instead of Styrofoam; every trash can in every business I own has a recycle can next to it; and we even made our internal business processes 100% paperless (WAY back in 2006). We have also invested a significant amount of money to become one of the first 200 LEED Platinum certified buildings in the world, and the only in the music retail business.
We do all of this because it is the right thing to do, but more importantly, to inspire and encourage others. We proudly promote it in our building so our customers and our employees are reminded and educated by it.
Thank you for sharing my, and all of Sweetwater’s, concern for our environment and responsible business practices. I hope you will join me and Sweetwater in our commitment to making the world a better place.
Founder and Chairman
Leading the Way to a Cleaner World, One Step at a Time
Breathe Easy
Air-monitoring systems, designed to help sustain occupant health and comfort, are integrated into our building’s mechanical systems. These systems have been designed to regulate indoor air quality, introducing fresh air as necessary to flush out any contaminants, such as carbon dioxide, that may be present in the air.Easy on the Eyes
Sensors have been installed throughout the building to respond to natural-light levels, allowing us to maintain both adequate lighting for production and efficient use of electricity. In many cases, motion-sensor control allows lights to remain off when a room is unoccupied.Two Green Thumbs Up
The entire campus — inside and out — has been designated as a smoke-free facility to minimize exposure of building occupants, indoor surfaces, and ventilation systems to the damaging impact of tobacco smoke.Built Responsibly
When our main campus was first built, we held to a commitment of using state-of-the-art technology and rapid-renewal materials and maximizing the use of recycled and locally sourced materials where possible. Prior to occupancy, the building’s air was flushed to eliminate harmful vapors and toxins that may have been introduced during the construction process.Reducing Our Impact
Aiding in the reduction of waste, recycling stations are found throughout the Sweetwater facility and at every workstation. We also rely heavily on reused, shredded paper and cardboard boxes as packing materials for shipping purposes. By recycling paper, metals, cardboard, and plastics, we are able to drastically reduce our need for virgin natural resources and minimize the volume of waste we send to landfills.Saving Every Last Drop
Sweetwater’s restrooms employ water conservation — waterless urinals; low-flow, light-powered faucets with occupant sensors; and dual-flush toilets — that amounts to 54% savings in annual water usage. This reduces the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems, which all contribute to water savings.Leading the Way
- 54% savings on annual water usage
- Access to daylight and views to the outdoors at 80% of workstations
- Solar heat gain reduced with insulated, heat-treated glass
- Energy savings via motion-sensor lighting
- Minimize hazardous emissions via the use of low-emitting materials
- Careful storage and collection of recyclables
About Our Campus
- Constructed from rapidly renewable and recycled materials
- Recycled 98% of materials from previous on-site buildings
- Recycling stations and receptacles stationed throughout the entire campus
- Packaging used in shipping is made from recycled materials
- Minimal shipping materials used while ensuring the safety of each order
Our Commitment to You
- Leveraging sound construction practices
- Continue to engage in environmentally friendly day-to-day operations
- Preserve all of our natural resources
- Provide a safe, healthy workplace for all of our employees
21st-century LEED-Certified Building
Built on a 158-acre campus, Sweetwater’s 964,600-square-foot facilities house offices, our Music Store, our warehouse and Fulfillment Center, an outdoor concert venue, recording studios, our state-of-the-art Performance Theatre, a training center, and the Sweetwater Academy of Music. The campus also includes a restaurant, an arcade, and an employee fitness center.
This facility was also one of the very first in our region to be recognized by the US Green Building Council, leading the way by combining state-of-the-art technology, rapid-renewal materials, and recycling, both during construction and in day-to-day operations. Additionally, our newly complete solar panel system — larger than two football fields on top of our Fulfillment Center — is expected to generate 1.7 million kilowatt hours per year. It will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1.5 million pounds, which is the equivalent of nearly 79,000 gallons of gasoline. Every aspect of our campus represents Sweetwater Founder Chuck Surack’s commitment to being a good steward of our environment. And we hope you’ll come visit our campus soon and enjoy it yourself.
