The Center for Leadership and Service at the University of Florida created the Purpose 20 Awards to honor the contributions made to Alachua County by local for-profit businesses. These 20 businesses provide invaluable cash and in-kind donations while supporting the community with efforts in environmental sustainability, serving as role models for change within the community and encouraging staff members to give their time to local causes. All of this work often goes unrecognized. The Center for Leadership and Service hopes that by recognizing these businesses, we inspire others through their example and demonstrate that business is about more than making a profit — it is also about having a purpose to build a better community.
Parisleaf was founded under the notion of fundamentally changing the way business works in one of the most environmentally destructive industries, the paper industry. Now, just a few years later, the company is on its way to preeminence among the world’s elite environmentally and socially conscious organizations. Parisleaf sources materials for the majority of its print jobs from environmentally recognized or certified firms and plants at least 10 trees after the completion of each job —for each website project, they plant 100 trees. But, beyond the work with its clients, the company embraces practices big and small to back up its dedication to sustainability. It partners with organizations like Gainesville Compost and Trees for the Future to better understand its environmental impact and improve the business process toward sustainability. Parisleaf’s simplest and most consistent policy has been planting trees. Most trees are planted by Parisleaf or through its partners, Gainesville-based We Are Neutral and international Trees for the Future. To date, Parisleaf has planted over 30,000 trees (4,000 locally and 26,000 internationally). Parisleaf has maintained a consistent track record for producing quality work, growing the business and helping its team grow spiritually, all while helping to improve the sustainability of the Gainesville community.