At MISGIF, we believe that creating memorable photo booth experiences should not come at the expense of the environment, our community or ethical business practices.

As a Phoenix, Arizona Green Certified small business, we are committed to making every sustainable photo booth rental a step toward a greener and more socially responsible events industry.

Our photo booth sustainability policy ensures that we uphold the highest standards in sustainable events while supporting our local economy.

A portion of our profits from every rental is donated to local Arizona nonprofits that share our vision for a better planet and fall under three sustainability categories: 1) environmental 2) social 3) economic.

1. Environmental Sustainability

Objective: Reduce our environmental impact by minimizing waste, conserving energy and water, using eco-friendly materials and embracing low-emission transportation methods.

Waste Diversion Action Items:

• Promote all-digital Arizona photo booth services to reduce photo booth rentals that carry a higher carbon footprint
• Offer photo booth packages that include lowest carbon footprint and opt-out options for add-ons with a higher carbon footprint
• Donate or responsibly recycle photo booth equipment, backdrops, and props locally, specifically to local nonprofits
• Replace single-use items with reusable alternatives (e.g., rechargeable batteries, LED lights, reusable cleaning cloths, etc.)
• Responsibly recycle all recyclable items via City of Tempe Recycling Program

Energy Conservation Action Items:

• Use energy-efficient LED lights in all photo booths and office spaces whenever possible
• Utilizing natural sunlight by opening window shadows to minimize office lighting use 
• Unplug event and office equipment when not in use and move prep days to 1-2 days prior to event to conserve energy
• Remove high energy and CO2 services from starting price packages (e.g., heavily branded emails/microsites, email capture and data capture reports, custom branded vinyl photo booth wraps, custom branded fabric backdrops, Dropbox storage of images, etc.) 
• Remove email sharing services from starting price packages and transition to text sharing, which requires less energy and CO2
• Delete all images from photo booths and monthly to reduce energy used by hosting data on iPads and iPhones 
• Transition toward photo booth equipment that requires less energy (DSLR-focused photo booths) 

Our goal for energy conservation for 2025 is to transition 100% of our starting price photo booth packages fully to the most energy-efficient options.

Water Conservation Action Items:

• Monitor monthly water consumption (e.g., backdrop and prop washing) and strive for a 50% reduction in usage by moving away from props
• Wash fabric backdrops and props in-house using an energy-efficient washer and air drying them

Our goal for water conservation for 2025 is to transition away from props, and washing them (reduce prop use/washing by 50%.)

Toxic Elimination Action Items:

• Ensure all cleaning products are EPA-approved and non-toxic, or comprised of natural ingredients that are not harmful to the environment
• Encourage clients to opt for digital photo services to eliminate chemical-based photo printing that is non-recyclable and harmful to the environment

Our goal for toxic elimination for 2025 is to 100% transition to using EPA-approved, non-toxic cleaning agents, as well as to donate a portion of all profits from our InstaPrints Photo Booth ($120 per printing event) to Arizona nonprofit Trees Matter which funds one tree planting event at a local Arizona school.

Transportation Reduction Action Items:

• Utilize fuel-efficient company Toyota Prius as often as possible when driving to and from events to reduce emissions
• Encourage carpooling when traveling to and from events to reduce emissions
• Reduce team's travel to office when not necessary and their home is closer to event venues to reduce emissions

Our goal for transportation reduction for 2025 is to transition to using the Toyota Prius for 70% of our events.

2. Social Sustainability

Objective: Foster an inclusive, community-focused business that supports local nonprofits and promotes sustainability education.

Community Engagement Action Items:

• Maintain our Arizona Green Business Certification through Local First Arizona
• Donate a portion of our profits from every photo booth rental to Arizona nonprofits focused on environmental and social justice causes
• Participate quarterly in local nonprofit volunteer initiatives such as Keep Tempe Beautiful, Trees Matter AZ, etc.
  

Our goal for community engagement for 2025 is to donate $25,000 to Arizona nonprofits focused on sustainability and social justice causes.

Education & Advocacy:

• Participate in quarterly sustainability training for our team
• Actively share educational sustainability content on sustainable event practices with clients and industry peers
• Collaborate with local event planners and vendors to create more sustainable events

Ethical Business Practices:

• Prioritize hiring diverse talent and fostering an inclusive work environment
• Ensure all team members are paid a fair, living wage that reflects the cost of living in Arizona
• Encourage fair wages and ethical labor practices throughout our supply chain
  

3. Economic Sustainability

Objective: Maintain long-term financial health while reinvesting in sustainable practices and supporting Arizona’s local economy.

Local Sourcing Action Items:

• Source at least 75% of our materials, goods, and services from Arizona small businesses, prioritizing sustainable and minority-owned vendors
• Source no more than 5% of materials and goods from Amazon, only when no local options available 
• Strategically partner with local vendors and small businesses that can provide in-stock or locally-made/sourced equipment/event decor, etc. available 

Our goal for local sourcing practices for 2025 is to eliminate our small business dependence on Amazon by and out-of-state product suppliers by 75%.

Local Banking Action Items:

• Move our business banking accounts to OneAZ Credit Union (local to Arizona and prioritizes supporting Arizona nonprofits)

Our goal for local banking practices for 2025 is to move 100% of our business banking accounts to OneAZ Credit Union and conduct all business banking through them for debited, ACH and check transactions.

Sustainable Revenue Growth Action Items:

• Expand our sustainable photo booth offerings and partnerships with local vendors, businesses and nonprofits who prioritize sustainability
• Partner with nonprofits and businesses via our GIF Back Club to increase referrals to MISGIF, as well as funds donated to local nonprofits
• Reduce photo booth starting price packages by removing high carbon footprint add-ons, while ensuring high carbon footprint packages are charged for accordingly due to increased emissions and labor

Our goal for sustainable revenue growth for 2025 is to launch our GIF Back Club Referral Program for businesses and nonprofits that encourages sustainable revenue growth as well as increased donation opportunity for local nonprofits.

Reinvestment in Sustainability Action Items:

• Dedicate 100% of our nonprofit donations to Arizona nonprofits (when events held in Arizona) whose programs contribute to one or more of the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, social, economic.)
• Invest in continued education, innovation, and sustainable technology and creative concepts to minimize our business’s carbon footprint
  

Our goal for reinvestment in sustainability for 2025 is to restructure our business model in it's entirety to be used as a vehicle for good in our local community by donating a portion of our profits ($100 - $120 per event) to local nonprofits. 

Looking Forward

MISGIF is committed to being a leader in Phoenix, Arizona sustainable small business practices within the events industry, as well as worldwide photo booth industry.

Our long-term goals include reducing our reliance on overseas-shipped materials, developing a Sustainable Photo Booth, Small Business and Arizona Event Industry Guide in partnership with Local First Arizona, and fostering a community of event professionals dedicated to sustainable business practices.

We believe that small businesses have the power to make a big impact, regardless of their size. By choosing MISGIF, our clients contribute to a more eco-friendly, socially responsible, and economically sustainable events industry.

We invite our partners, clients, and fellow photo booth businesses to join us in this mission!