Confluence  Eco Sensitive Project

Our Confluence sign on the front of the building is a LED sign versus a Neon sign.

Reclaiming Wood

The entry floor is from a 1910 barn in Southwest Iowa.  

The classroom tables are from an 1895 Schoolhouse.

Recycling
Boxes are reused for shipping.

Coffee cups and sleeves are made of recycled paper.  We encourage our customers to then put them in our recycle bins as they leave.

Coffee grounds are saved for compost for gardens.

Light bulbs are 100 watts energy savers and will last for 5 years. Each 100 watt bulb will only use 20 watts of energy. 

Wine bottles are donated to a local area art class.

Wine stoppers are given to Arbor Trails, a local vineyard.


Lighting and Heat
Low energy night lights are used for security.

We have 10,000 mini lights which will last for 10 years. They save us $80 a month.

Heat and air conditioning are set year round at 65 degrees in winter and 70 degrees in the summer.

The building faces North so Confluence put in a vestibule with side doors to prevent the cold Northern winds from coming into the store and saving on heat.

Other Eco Ideas

Kitchen has all Energy Star appliances.

              

Our Dell laptop computers will be sent back to Dell in five years to be refurbished.

The accoustic tiles in the ceiling, wall covering and the carpet throughout the store are all made of recycled material.

The advanced readers we receive are sent to a retirement village after reviewed.


The shades in our Bistro area are made of recycled material.

We encourage our customers to purchase our  Blue Confluence bags to use on their next visit.


If our customers don't have one of our blue bags, we do use brown paper bags.

Water
Our toilets are low water toilets.

How Shopping at Confluence, an Independent business, Benefits You directly!

1.  Keeps dollars in our economy.

For every $100 dollars you spend at one of our local businesses, $68.00 will stay here in the community.  Whereas, at a chain, $57.00 of that hundred will go to the corporate headquarters.

2. Creates local jobs.

Studies have shown that local businesses are better at creating higher paying jobs for the people of the community.

3. Very environment friendly.

Buying from a local business conserves energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation, less packaging, and products that you know are safe and well made because we stand behind them.

4. Local businesses donate more to the local charities.
We know you, you know us.  Studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chains.

5.  Conserving your tax dollars.

Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money available to beautify our community.  Also, spending locally instead of online makes sure your sales taxes are reinvested in where they belong.  Right here!

6. Makes the community a travel attraction.

The more interesting and unique we are as a community, the more we will attract new neighbors, visitors and guests which benefits everyone!