In the first post in this series, we discussed some of the things we’re doing at Merida to become better stewards of the environment. Today we’ll talk about how social sustainability initiatives can help enhance the quality of life for people in the communities where we live and work.
Community involvement is something that’s been ingrained in our company culture since the very beginning. Merida has always been involved with causes connected to the arts and education, such as the American Textile History Museum (located in our home state of Massachusetts), and Outward Bound programs.
In 2009 we are also working to establish partnerships with organizations with whom we share a common vision for a stable and supportive community. These organizations include Habitat for Humanity and the Pine Street Inn, a homeless shelter in Boston. We are also working with another Boston organization, Artists for Humanity, to find artistic uses for rug remnants and scrap material. We hope this will help us to both reduce our waste output and provide an creative outlet for artists in our community.
Companies that work with partners around the world also have the opportunity to affect the quality of life of the workers that help bring their products to market. In Brazil and the Philippines, we are proud to work with suppliers who treat their workers with respect and who are willing to work with us to raise both their standards of living and technical capabilities to become more sustainable and profitable.
By making responsible business choices and engaging with the local community, companies like Merida can have a positive effect on the lives of people in their communities and around the world.
And…of course I had to frame some of my own drawings from 
