Protecting the greatest design of all

At Living Edge we believe protecting nature and the environment are now a fundamental part of business. That’s why we have put in place a comprehensive strategy to ensure that our impact on the environment is minimised where it is possible and offset where it is not.

By working with independent auditors we have measured our greenhouse gas emissions at 3,500 tonnes per year and are now putting in place a strategy to manage and offset them. But that’s just the beginning.

We’re working with manufacturers to ensure that materials used, energy consumption, ease of disassembly and recyclable content are best in practice. Already key products have been given the Good Environmental Choice Accreditation. We are working toward earning this badge for as many pieces in our range as possible.

We are in the process of implementing a waste management and recycling system as well as switching all our operations to 100% accredited GreenPower. As part of this process we also aim install water saving devices across our operations wherever possible.

Most of all, we are training our staff on how to be more efficient with all these things and have even employed a person to oversee all these things and more.

Her job title? Manager: Product, People, Planet.

Please find the environmental statements and policies of some of the main manufacturers we have partnered with below. And be sure to check back regularly as we will be updating this area of the website as we continue our sustainability journey.

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Herman Miller

At Herman Miller respecting the environment is more than good business practice--it is the right thing to do. We believe that continued economic growth and environmental protection are inextricably linked--that the quality of life depends on meeting human needs without destroying the environment on which all life depends.

As business leaders we are committed to develop sustainable business practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the welfare of future generations. Sustainability demands that we pay attention to the entire life cycle of our products. We will develop strategies that enable us to move toward sustainability while enhancing the value offered to customers. We will measure and monitor progress toward our environmental goals as a key metric of our business success.

On the journey toward sustainable business practices, through continuous improvement, we will:

• Go beyond compliance with environmental regulations and other requirements
• Pursue prevention of pollution and elimination of waste of any kind
• Implement technologies to efficiently use energy resources
• Design our products, processes, and buildings for the environment
• Promote environmental knowledge and awareness

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Walter Knoll

As a manufacturer of a European brand named product it is paramount that only the highest levels of attainment is good enough. In today’s environment, this must include a commitment to environmental compatibility. Right from the initial development stage, from the choice of materials, production and transportation, quality furniture must comply with strict ecological standards. Sub-contractors are required to undertake to supply exclusively products containing no substances hazardous to health.

Covers - the materials and finish on upholstery fabrics must be non aggressive to the skin.

Padding - All padding material must be manufactured without the use of CFC’s and musty comply with the requirements of modern furnishing hygiene. When glue joints are called for low solvent adhesives are used. The water-soluble adhesives are a primary objective.

Frames - Where ever chipboard is used for design reasons, only E1 quality materials are used.

Packing - Reusable and recycled product is use whenever possible.

WKDesigns Australia strives to ensure a high percentage of each product manufactured can be recycled at the end of its life.

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Norman + Quaine

Norman & Quaine have a commitment to environmentally responsible design and manufacturing. Most significantly, our pursuit of excellence in design and the specification of the highest quality materials, to ensure the longevity of our products.

It is of great importance to work with manufacturers who have an Environmental Policy and are Quality Assured. Our manufacturer, Woodmark International, have an ongoing program to meet the principal environmental challenges of manufacturing: reducing resource use, minimising waste generation and reducing emissions into the environment.

When selecting materials and finishes for our products we assess the life cycle of the material, along with the manufacturing process of the material to ensure that the components of our products are environmentally sound.

Our Policy includes the following:

• Solid timbers are Plantation grown. Timber can be refinished, renewed and recycled.
• All upholstered products with a sub frame have been manufactured with Ply, which is made from Plantation grown timbers.
• All upholstery foams are CFC free and fire retardant
• Manufacturing product templates have been designed to minimise waste of material from standard sheet sizes.
• Glues are non-toxic, water based
• Lacquers are imported from Europe and are approved to European and Australian Safety standards.
• All waste is controlled by Pacific Waste management except for lacquers and thinners, which are recycled by Environmental Recycling Services under Environmental protection Authority Docket Control.
• Packaging plastic is Pallet shrink made from remilled product. It is recyclable or reusable.

Work place safety requirements are in place in accordance with Material Safety Data as noted in ASNZ ISO 9002/94 minimising exposure to dangerous substances and practices.

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Stevens Commercial Furniture

Environmental Policy

Our Vision
At SCF, we believe that our environment is a precious gift and therefore needs to be highly respected so that it can be enjoyed by future generations. The needs of mankind continue to grow globally resulting in the demand for natural resources increasing rapidly. Our vision is that with careful planning and the right decision making, we can be confident of an ecological balance. SCF is a willing participant within our industry to make a significant contribution to the protection of the environment

Environment Policy Statement
SCF believes that respecting the environment is about developing sustainable business practices. Sustainability requires that we pay attention to the entire life cycle of the products from cradle to cradle.

As a company, SCF is committed to developing and using, where possible, products and procedures that support our policy. We will work with business leaders associated with our industry to share knowledge and to promote awareness of environmental outcomes in order to achieve our goals.

In practice, SCF will show preference to

• products that are environmentally friendly
• packaging that can be recycled
• designing products and projects that have environmental benefits
• suppliers who support healthy environmental practices

This Environment Policy Statement outlines SCF’s contribution to protecting the ecosystem on which all life depends.

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Howe

HOWE strives to be recognised internationally for innovation and a commitment to excellence in manufacturing, engineering, quality and customer service. HOWE will foster an environment where high ethical standards and environmental concerns are viewed as crucial factors for corporate success. HOWE will work to be a world class corporation in all aspects of its operations.

 

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Keilhauer

The basic elements of our plan are to use others waste (recycled materials) or sustainable sources of raw materials to create our products, to ensure that our products are fully recyclable, to use as few resources as possible in the manufacturing process and to ensure that we minimize or eliminate waste and emissions. We would like our footprint on the world to be very light.

Our Products
It is our goal to make our products out of materials that are recycled (the more post-consumer the better) or sustainable. Once made, they should last for a long time, and when their useful life is over, they should be fully recyclable.

Many of these practices are already incorporated into our existing products. A cross section of our products reveals the following:

• Metal components are 100% recyclable and are made from up to 100% recycled material
• Almost all the plastic used in products is 100% recyclable
• All foam is CFC-free and is applied using water-based adhesives where appropriate
• Our hardwood frames are made of kiln dried maple sourced from sustainable forests wherever possible
• We also use engineered wood which utilizes waste wood and wood from fast-growing species
• Sawdust from wood manufacturing is used in manufacturing fire logs
• Wood pieces and off cuts are collected and used in energy generation
• In the manufacture of our leather most of the waste products are reused
  

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Woodmark

Environmental Policy
POLICY STATEMENT
Woodmark International Furniture recognises the value of the environment to the community and future generations. Woodmark works toward sustainable development by the responsible production, distribution and use of energy.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REDUCTION
Woodmark has an ongoing program, which meets the three principal environmental challenges: reducing resource use; minimising waste generation and reducing emissions into the environment from the manufacturing processes.

MANAGEMENT
Woodmark complies with all legislative and contractual requirements for environment performance and is currently implementing an environmental management system (EMS) to sustain continuous improvement.