A GREEN LEGACY
A COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL HARMONY
Our work begins in the natural world. A deep appreciation for the planet, and a greater sense that we need to invest in the preservation of its resources for future generations, guides every decision we make. With thoughtful consideration, we continually seek ways to minimize impact throughout the harvesting, weaving, and finishing processes, and to drive change within the industry.
Global Footprint
We choose natural materials to craft our windowcoverings, wallcoverings and textiles, not only because they create a luxurious aesthetic, but because they offer significant environmental benefits. Natural materials provide valuable ecosystem services, including the prevention of soil erosion and the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Unlike conventional synthetics, naturally sourced materials are renewable resources that require less energy to produce, create less pollution, and contribute less to global climate change.
Regional Implications
Rapidly renewable materials, harvested by hand, in well-managed ecosystems. This practice reduces environmental impact on the air and water quality in the regions where the materials are grown and processed. The raw materials we use come from hardy plants that can be naturally irrigated and most often do not require pesticides, fertilizers, or other harsh chemicals. As a result, we are able to limit impact on local watersheds, preserving them for other purposes.
Durability & Longevity
Durability is one of the most overlooked factors in environmental performance. Products built to withstand the test of time are inherently better for the environment than those that need to be replaced more frequently. Not only do they require fewer resources over their lifetime, they also keep more material out of the waste stream. Each of our natural products is designed and crafted to heirloom quality, using components that can be recycled, recrafted, or composted at the end of their lifecycle to minimize any impact on the environment.
Social Impacts
We design responsibly across every dimension: environmentally, socially, and economically. Our selective use of renewable fibers grown in well-managed ecosystems makes our designs both distinctive and viable, while ensuring these natural materials remain available for future generations. Our commitment to supporting and honoring ancient crafting traditions provides an economic incentive to maintain skills of great cultural importance. We will continue investing in these practices to ensure they remain vibrant and relevant today and into the future.
Environmental Impacts in the Home
The air inside a home matters as much as the materials within it. Synthetic or treated products commonly contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which can be released into the air over time through off-gassing, leading to poor indoor air quality that may contribute to a number of health problems. VOCs can be found in adhesives, bleaching and dyeing agents, varnishes, coatings, paints, and stains. We craft the majority of our products using materials and techniques with low or no VOC levels, minimizing the impact our products have on indoor air quality.
LEED CERTIFICATION
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to certify building performance. LEED provides independent, third-party verification that a building meets the highest standards of sustainable environmental performance in human and environmental health. Over the past decade, LEED has become prominent in the U.S., and so have the design practices that have been developed, including those for homes, schools, new and existing commercial buildings, and commercial interiors.
While specific products cannot be certified, our Natural Wallcoverings can help you earn LEED credit in the rapidly renewable materials (MRSr6) and low-emitting materials (EQCr4.1) categories.
For further information on LEED, please visit www.usgbc.org.
Started in 2005 to foster a company culture of environmental responsibility, Project Green has evolved into a company-wide collaborative effort, with our team empowered to support ways to improve our efforts. A passionate commitment has led to numerous initiatives, including Forest Stewardship Council certified paper, corporate recycling, a renewable energy program, recyclable shipping products, and more.
