::: An organization built on integrity.
++ Green business: San Diego, CA, USA / Don Cook / Don's Digital Café

If you are not familiar with our company and your first contact with us is online, we would like for you to know a few things about us.

The above photo of the Red-eyed Tree Frog was taken by Mark Kostich, International Wildlife Photographer, who specializes in stock photography of rare and endangered species from around the world.

What separates us from other companies? Everything! From our concern for your health to our concern for the environment, Don's Digital Café is not your typical business.  Don Cook (user name: Raster Master) stepped outside the boundaries of the traditional business model to create an organization built around integrity.

For every decision there is a right way and a wrong way to approach things. Don's Digital Café operates on the belief that social responsibility is just as important as profitability. Where some businesses cut corners for their own benefit, we go the extra mile to do the best for everyone: The customer, the environment, the employee, the independent contractor and Don's Digital Café.

Our detailed approach to a sustainable and environmentally friendly business, has made us a unique business concept. We didn’t go the Eco-friendly route to hop on the "green" bandwagon. We chose to because it was the right thing to do. We believe that if every organization operated at the level of integrity that we strive for, the world would be a better place.  

Don Cook, the Founder of Don's Digital Café was raised on an organic farm in central Oregon. He bought the Whole Earth Catalog in 1994. He helped build a water purification plant in Guadalajara, Mexico, and two vegan soup kitchens (that feed over 750 Mexican orphans a day), as well as solar and wind powered electricity systems in two Countries. He lives a mostly organic, vegan lifestyle.

Note from Raster Master: The Red-eyed Tree Frog is not an endangered species (yet). But their habitat is shrinking at an alarming rate, and their highly recognizable image is often used to promote the cause of saving the world's rain forests. Its conspicuous coloration (red eyes, green body, blue and yellow belly, and orange feet) make it the perfect "mascot" for a company that is all about beauty, design and color. You will find it on all of our websites.

:: Source: [Don's Digital Café, San Diego, CA USA]
:: Image Credit: [Mark Kostich, Haw River, North Carolina USA]
:: Innovation: Revolutionary concept for combining social resposibility with profitability.
:: Available: President's Day, 2010.
:: Cost:  TBA (about $0.75 million, USD)

::: A vision of a green and peaceful Earth.
++ Green Peace: Washington, D.C., USA / Phil Radford / Greenpeace

In 1971, motivated by their vision of a green and peaceful Earth, a small team of activists set sail from Vancouver, Canada in an old fishing boat. These activists, the founders of Greenpeace, believed a few individuals could make a difference. Oh boy, did they. They became the first "green peas" on Earth.

Their mission was to bear witness to USA underground nuclear testing at Amchitka, a tiny island off the West Coast of Alaska, which is one of the world's most earthquake-prone regions.

Note from Raster Master: Greenpeace has regional offices in 41 different countries. We can only hope to be as successful.

:: Source: [Greenpeace, Amsterdam, Netherlands]
:: Image Credit: [Chang, Chang's Site, Miami, FL, USA]
:: Innovation: Using non-violent confrontation to raise the level and quality of public debate.
:: Available: Now.
:: Cost: $20 a month (or more, depending on your commitment).

::: The most energy efficient cloud infrastructure on the planet.
++ Powered by the Wind: Soho, New York, USA / Our Host / Squarespace

Most electricity purchased from the grid has negative environmental implications: Coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy all have their own unique negative environmental impacts. The solution to this problem is simple: Choose to purchase clean energy to power your home or business. This is exactly what Squarespace (our web host) decided to do.

While they're a small organization, Squarepace is still very mindful of their footprint and have taken a number of steps to reduce it.

100% of the energy Squarespace buys is Green-e certified renewable. Honestly, they think it's kinda cool that everything they do is powered by the wind. They're also excited about how easy it was to make that switch. They hope more companies will join them!

Note from Raster Master: Yes, we think that it's "kinda cool" that everything Squarespace does is powered by the wind. Unfortunately, Don's Digital Café doesn't have that choice. However, we are getting close. Please check out SDG&E's renewable sources by clicking here. There you will find out more about SDG&E's efforts in using renewable energy (solar, geothermal, and wind).

:: Source: [Squarespace, Manhattan, NY, USA]
:: Image Credit: [Don Cook, Don's Digital Café, San Diego, CA, USA]
:: Innovation: A revolution in buying energy from renewable resources.
:: Available: Now (in some states).
:: Cost: Just over $.02 per kilowatt-hour more than what most businesses are paying now.

::: The future of composting is here.
++ Cleaner, Greener, Easier: San Francisco, CA, USA / Russ Cohn / NatureMill

What do you do with what's left over from juicing 20 pounds of veggies and fruit a day (the pulp and trimmings)?

You can treat it as garbage and let it rot (and stink up you kitchen), or you can turn it into both solid and liquid "gold". We use a miniature green, clean, and mean composting machine.

Waste is collected right where it is generated: In our kitchen (Bistro 150).  A computer controls the temperature, air flow, moisture, and mixing to accelerate the process and eliminate the backbreaking work. Everything is fully self contained in a modern, attractive container. Just a few square feet of floor space is required.  No special plumbing or electrical connections are needed, other than a standard electrical outlet.

No worms, bugs, or trash odors: Natural composting cultures consume waste quickly, without odors. These machines produce a mild aroma like sourdough, mushrooms, or straw.

Balance the chemistry by adding sawdust to increase "brown" content, and baking soda to reduce acidity. A fan draws air into the machine, providing oxygen to the composting cultures. A powerful carbon filter removes any lingering odors.

Kitchen compost is very high in nitrogen, which is essential for healthy plants. You can spread it over the soil surface, like mulch. Nutrients will gradually enter the soil during watering.

At Bistro 150, we also infuse mature compost with water to brew a "compost tea" (liquid fertilizer).

Note from Raster Master: Fortunately, we also have our own "Urban Plantation" (small organic garden). There is something uniquely satisfying about witnessing the entire food chain: from the garden, to the dining table, and back to the garden again.

:: Source: [NatureMill, San Fransisco, CA, USA]
:: Image Credit: [NatureMill, Russ Cohn, San Fransisco, CA, USA]
:: Innovation: Someday everyone will make compost: What a difference that will make!
:: Available: Now.
:: Cost: USD$299 - $399.