Sustainability
Environmentally Friendly.
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
As an American furniture manufacturer for over 70 years, we have been implementing green practices before it was even fashionable. From a dust collection system in 1954 to today’s UV high-tech finishing system, we have taken every effort to be environmentally friendly as we feel it is our responsibility for the future of our earth. As a leader in our industry, our selection of wood furniture is the most reasonable and environmentally friendly choice available. With the rise in steel prices and the sensitivity to being “green,” Savoy Furniture believes that wood is the smarter choice for your furniture needs. Wood is a renewable resource and requires less energy than most to process into finished products. Wood is also low in toxicity and completely biodegradable. Wood enhances thermal performance and interior acoustics while providing long-term performance and durability. Additional advantages of wood products include:
- Added Strength and Durability
- Cost-Competitiveness Relative to Other Products
- Long-Term Performance in Aggressive-Use Environments
- Renewability
- Our Use of Veneer Core Plywood
Our use of veneer core plywood in place of solid wood panels in manufacturing minimizes the effect on the environment by providing a more complete use of the harvested tree. Trees used for veneer application extends the utilization by as much as 16 times more than solids applications. By extending the use through plywood manufacturing, future generations will be able to harvest trees and use them in similar manners.
Environmental Certifications
Savoy Furniture is recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection with a Synthetic Minor Operating Permit for our reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) through our utilization of:
UV Finishing System
Savoy utilizes a technologically advanced ultraviolet (UV) finishing system. This system provides a material transfer rate from application to finished product in excess of 99%. Not only does this process not produce any substantial VOCs, but it is also recognized by the PA Department of Environmental Protection as being compliant with all regulations. We have reduced VOC output by as much as 99%.
Staining Materials
Stains used in finishing products are water based which reduces VOCs by as much as 90% or more.
Adhesives
Quality wood glues are specifically designed to penetrate the fibers of the wood, adding strength and durability to the bonded joint. Savoy’s adhesives are a water-based polyvinyl acetate emulsion that have a very low level of VOCs and do not contain any formaldehyde or urea-formaldehyde.
Additional Efforts
Waste streams such as used oils, cleaning fluids and some finishing materials are recycled to minimize waste.
Fuel oil processing and heating systems have been replaced with more efficient natural gas systems, substantially reducing oil consumption and the release of airborne contaminants.
All of our waste woods are recycled in the form of wood mulch or are utilized in heating systems locally. Saw dust collected by the extraction system is used as animal bedding by local farmers. Any cardboard waste in the plant is recycled locally.
Each year, millions of trees are harvested to provide packaging for shipments. Savoy uses a blanket wrapped shipping process in which items are wrapped in moving blankets made of recycled materials. These blankets can be re-used numerous times and this minimizes the amount of trees harvested for manufacturing shipping materials.
We have carefully selected lumber suppliers who are recognized for implementing environmentally supported harvesting controls and hold SFI and FSC certifications to perpetuate a better environment for all.
Additionally, we strive to work mostly with fabric vendors that have taken the responsibility to create environmentally friendly fabrics woven in the United States.