williamsburg blog

– Columbus, NY, November 18, 2011

Today the Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA) recognized Golden Artist Colors with the Business Conservation Award for its continued efforts in making a positive difference related to environmental protection, preservation and education in the County. The Award, new this year, was given to GOLDEN for its participation in the County.s Household Hazardous Waste Day collection efforts for the last several years, which has been successful in keeping thousands of gallons of paint from landfill disposal.

"We are delighted to have such a diverse group of honorees this year," said OCCA Acting Executive Director Darla M. Youngs. "Our award winners demonstrate in countless ways how both individuals and businesses can successfully work to protect and preserve our environment. More importantly, they're doing a great job of it."

"Our beautiful, rural location inspires us, as does the importance to our staff and customers that we minimize our environmental impact so that, by extension, they can," said Ben Gavett, Director of Regulatory Affairs at GOLDEN. "In the case of Otsego County Waste Day collection, a desire to have a measurable, positive outcome by utilizing our facility and expertise as a paint manufacturer motivates us as well."

According to Mark Golden, CEO, the company's commitment to environmental sustainability is interspersed throughout the organization's paintmaking process as well as its culture. "We have an incredible staff here and what's really exciting is that each and every employee owner does their part to ensure that we keep our environment as clean as possible. Their support is truly invaluable."

In addition to recycling paint for Otsego and Chenango counties, GOLDEN purchases 100 percent renewable electricity in the form of wind and low-impact hydro. The company also operates a reverse osmosis system to recycle its process wash water, has an extensive in-house program to recycle what would otherwise be solid wastes, and maintains a "no exposure" facility which protects the environment from storm water discharges associated with industrial activity.

For more information about Golden Artist Colors and its commitment to social responsibility, go to www.goldenpaints.com.

About Golden Artist Colors, Inc.
Located in its 100,000-square-foot facility in rural Columbus, N.Y., GOLDEN's 147 employees are committed to producing materials that encourage exploration of form and concept, while assuring archival integrity. GOLDEN takes pride in the fact that its Custom Lab is the only facility of its kind, dedicated to designing products to the specifications of individual artists. Developing paints to meet exacting criteria is the specialty of GOLDEN's custom operations. As a natural progression from its initiatives in the fine arts market, GOLDEN established Paintworks, the commercial paint and coatings division of the company, providing commercial and OEM clients with paint making technology, toll manufacturing and integrated solutions. In May 2010, Golden Artist Colors purchased Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors, a painter's paint that continues to be made by dedicated paint makers in small batches. Williamsburg Oils offers one of the most extensive and unique lines of handmade oil paints in the world, including our famous Native Italian Earth Colors and custom blends. The company is not only committed to its customers and local community, but to its employee owners as well. In April 2010, GOLDEN employees became the majority owners of the company and in 2008, the company became a 100% Tobacco Free Campus for staff and visitors. For more information about Golden Artist Colors, Inc. and its comprehensive product offering, call 1-800-959-6543 or visit the company's Web site at www.goldenpaints.com. For more information about Williamsburg, go to www.williamsburgoils.com.