Adam & Eve, the nation’s number one source for all things erotic, has long been known as a charitable contributor. But, as they say, charity often begins at home, so for the last year Adam & Eve has focused on recycling and decreasing the carbon footprint at its headquarters in Hillsborough, NC.

Headed up by Adam & Eve employee Mary Ellen Reiley, the GAIA (Green Apples Increasing Awareness) efforts have replaced the company’s Styrofoam cups with recyclable paper cups, reduced use of electric lighting, and replaced computer monitors with more energy efficient models.

All of the outdated computers and electronics are recycled through Synergy Inc., which breaks them down into aluminum, steel, precious metals, etc., and funnels the material back into the commodity markets. The company also encourages employees to recycle by giving them the opportunity to bring in their electronics from home.

“Adam & Eve employees appreciate that it is possible for them to bring in their personal items for recycling. If it has a battery or a cord, we take it,” says Reiley.

Utilizing local business Shimar Recycling, Adam & Eve employees now separate plastic, aluminum and glass for recycling, as well as office and mixed paper. In the past nine months alone, over 40,000 pounds of paper were recycled instead of going into a landfill.

“We are very proud of the efforts of our employees to be conscientious in their recycling efforts,” says Chad Davis, Marketing Director for Adam & Eve. “In addition to the steps we have taken to reduce waste and reuse items, we have also found interesting placement for items that would otherwise have ended up in the trash.”

These items include over 7,000 small glass jars that were used for packaging and later donated to local schools, craft groups, etc., and hundreds of pill-splitters that were donated to local veterinarians and animal rescue groups. All of the outdated and un-needed office supplies are donated to the Scrap Exchange, a non-profit organization in Durham.