Whether it's purchasing lumber from sources that follow sustainable forestry practices or continuously reformulating finishing materials to reduce emissions and hazardous wastes, environmental sustainability is top of mind within our business practices. As part of our promise to do the right thing, we set company-wide environmental goals, tracking and measuring them to ensure we meet our commitments.
Sustainable
Conestoga is committed to supporting sustainable forestry, believing it is the key to protecting the environment and natural resources our industry depends on. The vast majority of our incoming lumber is harvested and processed by companies that embrace environmentally sound forestry practices and purchased from managed forests within a 500 mile radius of Conestoga manufacturing facilities.
Certified
We purchase approximately 75% of our lumber from suppliers that participate in one of six certified programs: the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), American Tree Farm (ATF), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO4001). While Conestoga produces finished products containing certified wood, Chain of Custody certification is not maintained and therefore this certification may not be utilized by our customers.
Environmental Responsibility
Our commitment to the environment extends much further than the sourcing of our natural resources. It includes stringent internal environmental standards and social outreach programs in areas surrounding each of our locations. There are many facets to our initiatives that encompass nearly every segment of our business.
Processes
- We manage our resources, not just the lumber we use to make our products.
- A significant portion of the sawdust created from our operations is reused for agricultural applications.
- We've adopted an aggressive recycling policy that covers everything from scrap wood to paper/cardboard to used oil.
- We are constantly exploring new ways to reduce energy consumption through both process improvements and equipment updates.
- We've developed paperless technology to process customers' purchase orders as well as maintaining electronic document control processes. Since the inception of this program, we've avoided using over 2 million sheets of paper.
Products
- We purchase only composite materials that meet the CA Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations for formaldehyde emissions.
- We work closely with adhesive suppliers to source low-VOC glues as well as low-emitting or no added urea formaldehyde glues.
- As part of an effort to reduce indoor air contaminants, Conestoga's DuraPure Finishing Program uses sealers and topcoats that achieve GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification and are certified formaldehyde-free.
- We consistently reformulate many of our coatings to maintain a low VOC content. We also recycle and/or reuse our clean up solvents to minimize emissions.
- More than 80% of our composite wood panels are ECC-411 Sustainability Standard Certified by the Composite Panel Association.
Recognition
- Conestoga has received environmental awards recognizing our environmental stewardship, including being a past recipient of the PA Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence.
- Conestoga was the first Associate Member of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer's Association (KCMA) to receive Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) certification in 2008 and continually achieves certification every year since. This program certifies our sustainability practices and procedures as they relate to air quality, product resource management, process resource management, community relations, and environmental stewardship.