Oregon Translation: Corporate Social Responsibility Report
Oregon Translation implements the following efforts in its day-to-day operations to make this world a better place to live. These are inherent practices our company has employed for more than a decade because this is what we believe and live out at home and at work. Green America and the Green Business Network certified our efforts in January 2011 by granting us the Green America Seal of Approval.
Buy Local & Fair Trade
In the face of downward pressure on prices, many translation companies have resorted to contracting with the lowest possible bidder in third-world countries (usually in India, China, or South America). In such cases, translators are often paid very meager wages for their services. One reason such translators accept rates as low as $0.01 USD per word is because they are under-qualified (no university education, not truly competent in the two languages, no experience with specialized terminology, etc.). The results are glaring in the final translation.
Oregon Translation has always set its sights higher. Oregon Translation works primarily with local translators in the Pacific Northwest: 1) because this is our means of implementing the "buy local" attitude to support the regional economy; 2) because these translators have university degrees (often in foreign languages and/or in highly specialized fields); 3) because this enables us to establish face-to-face, trusting relationships with our team members, which means projects are handled more efficiently and more effectively; and 4) because there are no time-zone delays. In the interests of full disclosure, possible exceptions to this company guideline for "buying local" come into play when a project has specialized requirements that cannot be fulfilled by local language professionals: an unusual language combination, specialized terminology, or peak demand. In those cases, we still hand-pick our translators to ensure that they have the expert training we require.
Oregon Translation pays living wages to our vendors. Oregon Translation pays vendors promptly, without making their payment contingent upon when Oregon Translation may receive payment from our upstream customer.
Oregon Translation obtains our supplies from local vendors whenever possible. For example: Nedwater delivers the water for our breakroom from a Portland aquifer to our door using B-Line bike delivery service. Additionally, we have a close relationship with AAP Creative in Oregon City for our printing needs, naturally using recycled paper and soy ink whenever possible.
Our
Office and Getting There
Oregon Translation has a beautiful new office in a historic building in downtown Portland. Our office walls are painted with recycled paint. We have largely taken gently-used and modular furniture and re-purposed it to create a welcoming and practical setting.
Alternative Commuting Methods & Telecommuting: Staff are encouraged to arrive at our office using alternative transportation. We offer subsidies for carpooling and/or using public transportation. If you wish to visit us (and we’d be happy to see you), we invite you to arrive in stress-free style on the Portland Streetcar or lightrail. Telecommuting is also enabled and encouraged through a distributed telephone and telecommunications system, made possible through our close relationship with Canvas Dreams, LLC.
Our
Technology Tools
Oregon Translation's Web site is hosted by Canvas Dreams, a technology company that strongly emphasizes wind power and energy efficiency. Canvas Dreams won the 2010 Green Business Leader Award from Green America.
Oregon Translation employs a high-end, US-based, VOIP phone system (also maintained by Canvas Dreams), so we can be reached seamlessly even on the days we telecommute.
We selected Dharma Merchant Services as our merchant services provider. Dharma won the 2009 Green Business Leader Award from Green America and contributes 10% of its profits to charity.
Energy efficiency: Computer monitors are turned off even when we only step away for a coffee break or long phone call. Computers and printers are also turned off overnight.
Reduce – Reuse – Recycle in our Office
Reduce: Oregon Translation almost exclusively delivers its work products and invoices via electronic means. We have also taken major strides to minimize printing within our office. These steps reduce our consumption of paper and toner, and extend the longevity of our printers. Data and file backups are stored on electronic media, drastically minimizing storage requirements (climate controlled space, file cabinets, etc.).
Reuse: We purchase used dictionaries and reference materials from the local Powell's City of Books. We purchase post-consumer recycled paper and supplies wherever possible. Styrofoam and packing peanuts are contributed to a local postal facility, where they are gratefully re-used.
Recycle aggressively: paper, newspaper, cardboard, glass and metals. ALL plastics, including plastic film and bags and broken plastic parts.
E-cycle: When electronics components and printer cartridges reach the end of their usable life, we take them to E-Tech Recycling – a responsible, nationally recognized and ISO-certified recycler that has a local office in Hillsboro, Oregon.
