IWC Leads the Way to a Sustainable Future
The cornerstone of IWC's business philosophy is an unyielding commitment to the environment. Stewardship for both our employees and nature is of paramount importance. From customers to suppliers to employees, we are all accountable for our environmental deeds. We sincerely believe that our actions today have far-reaching implications for future generations. IWC staff diligently pursue both internal and external opportunities to move the company toward environmental consciousness and accountability.
Green Purchasing & Sourcing
IWC is dedicated to working with suppliers who have a demonstrated commitment to sustainable resources and low impact raw materials. Our principle board suppliers are certified as green manufacturers. Our suppliers of melamine-covered particleboard are Green Cross certified manufacturers; certified by Scientific Certification Systems. Green Cross certifies that the particleboard and MDF panels are manufactured with recovered and recycled wood fibers. This qualifies toward the US Green Building Council LEED™ Green Building System requirements. Our supplier of natural veneer covered plywood and particleboard carry the Forest Stewardship Council certified ecolabel, which also qualifies toward the US Green Building Council LEED™ Green Building System requirements. Our high-pressure laminate suppliers also subscribe to Green manufacturing principles and can qualify for points for LEED™ certification.
Promoting Green Energy
IWC is committed to effective energy efficiencies and the reduction of greenhouse gases. Since January 2007, IWC has partnered with CarbonFund.org to offset 100% of our carbon emissions. All of our electrical, natural gas, executive air travel and vehicle use is currently being offset by the purchase of renewable energy certificates. Carbonfund.org is working to reduce the impact of climate change by promoting cost effective carbon reductions and supporting renewable energy and reforestation projects. IWC's financial support of these offsets continues the development of clean, renewable domestic sources of energy.
In addition, IWC heats its building with high efficiency infrared heaters, and vents heat produced by compressed air and vacuum systems into the building during winter and out of the building in summer. Our Short Wave Infrared finishing ovenst run on electricity, come up to temperature within 5 seconds and use light waves to cure finishes. Other furniture companies use gas fired ovens which can require up to an hour and a half to come up to temperature and then consume energy all day long maintaining that operating temperature. These factors combine to not only considerably reduce our impact on the environment, but also make for a very lean and cost effective business operation.
Green Manufacturing
There are no contact adhesives used in the manufacturing of any IWC products. Contact adhesive is one of the very worst volatile organic compound(VOC) offenders used in commercial woodworking today. All lamination at IWC is accomplished using only water borne PVA adhesive. This class of adhesive contains zero VOCs. Even the hot press used in our lamination process utilizes pressurized hot water. Most hot presses use oil as the heating medium, which degrades over time and must be changed every few months creating more waste. Furthermore, we purchase only HAPS (hazardous air pollutant) compliant (very low VOC) finishes or utilize water borne finishes for our wet coat (wood finishing) operations. These finish products have a greatly reduced VOC content which in turn is extremely valuable in the reduction of greenhouse gases.
Reducing, Recycling & Reusing
We reduce our waste by only mixing the minimum amount of materials needed for use that day. Catalyzed finishes and glues can have a limited working life, generally no more than four hours; by being aware of our production needs and grouping like products together, we are able to greatly reduce the waste stream. By utilizing cut to size programs, we are able to utilize what would have been offal (trash) as raw material used in other products. Nearly all of the packaging material that IWC receives in the course of business is recycled. From cardboard to skids to foam spacers, anything that can be recycled or reused is given a second life and in some cases used repeatedly. More than half of all product shipped from IWC is blanket wrapped. This means absolutely no packaging cost or onsite (job site) packaging removal cost for this type of shipment. This is better for the environment, and better for your project’s budget objectives.