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Healthier Homes
Best Practice Achievements
Sustainable Materials
We make a conscious effort to manage our materials selection, seeking materials we are confident are sustainable, such as legally harvested forest products, responsibly produced plantation products, and recycled content:
Recycling and Reclamation
We factor disassembly, recyclability and product reclamation into buying decisions. We offer a product reclamation/product reuse policy:
Return and Reuse
We use recycled or recyclable packing/packaging materials, offer blanket-wrap transportation arrangements for customers and have a carton return/reuse policy:
Chain of Custody
We ask for verifiable chain of custody documents (i.e. legal logging certifications) before buying products containing wood:
Decrease use of Toxic Chemicals
We have decreased our use/acceptance of known toxic chemicals for treatments, binders and finishes, replacing compounds that compromise indoor air quality and are harmful to human health:
Low Environmental Impact Textiles
We are asking our vendors for textiles that have a lower environmental impact, i.e. organic cotton in place of conventionally-grown cotton, as well as seeking other eco-friendly textiles:
Life Cycle Analysis
We are moving forward on doing a Life Cycle Analysis and/or are applying for SMaRT certification:
Local Sourcing
We extract, manufacture and distribute for consumer use within a 500 mile radius for at least a portion of our product line:
Third Party Certifications
We hold third party certifications for some of our products, or as a store, we promote and educate the consumer on the meaning of various third party certifications:
Sharing the Wealth
We take responsibility for sharing our commitment to sustainability up and down our entire supply chain, rewarding our vendors with increased business for partnering with us on sustainability issues:
Social Responsibility Code
We have a written Social Responsibility Code of Contact that is a baseline for employee relations:
Supplier Responsibility
We have written and distributed a Supplier Responsibility Code of Conduct for our vendors and conduct training at our partner facilities on the adoption of same:
Health and Safety Code Compliance
We and our partners meet or exceed all local health and safety codes and can document our health and safety working conditions in all our facilities/stores:
We Pay Living Wages
We pay a living wage rather than minimum wage and extend that around the globe:
We Sponsor Sustainability Events
We have participated in or sponsored in-store, community and/or regional educational events on sustainability and the environment:
We Inspect
We investigate and mitigate any negative environmental impacts from our operations:
Save Paper and Other Office Resources
We save paper and other office resources with a policy expressing an aversion to excess written documentation:
We Use Energy Specialists
We have had an energy specialist or utility company audit to measure our conventional energy usage and are on track to reduce it. We are replacing a portion of the energy we consume with certified renewable energy, either directly, via a program of our local utility, or via Green e-Power:
Updated Inefficient Equipment
We have replaced outdated and inefficient equipment, identified and changed wasteful resource procedures and implemented tighter operational controls:
Energy Efficient Lighting
We have increased the use of day lighting and/or are upgrading to more energy efficient lighting system:
Verified Sustainability Claims
We make only verifiable sustainability claims in adherence with FTC mandates against greenwash and in support of their Environmental Marketing Guides:
Committed to Training
We are committed to conducting training in-house and in the broader community about global climate change and our partnership with the SFC:
In keeping with our commitment to continual improvement, we are planning to take the following actions this year: On reducing energy consumption:
1. The Healthier Homes new model home / offices has a garage that serves as a packing and receiving facility equipped with windows for natural light, LED lighting, and ample insulation in the walls to help cut down on heating and cooling costs year-round.
2. Rather than accepting bulk paint and product deliveries as the pallets arrive, HH has partnered with a final mile service in Austin that serves as our receiving center to cut back on the frequency of freight deliveries.
3. Healthier Home's commitment to the environment extends to our sister company, JS2 Partners Healthy Home Builders. JS2 Partners uses commercial grade closed cell foam insulation, multistage energy efficient HVAC units, solid hardwoods, LED lighting, nontoxic building materials and zero VOC paints. Every single material is vetted to be free from offgassing and healthy for humans, pets, and the environment.
In keeping with our commitment to continual improvement, we are planning to take the following actions this year: On how we will manage our primary material or service to a more sustainable direction:
1. All materials used to manufacture Healthier Homes' paints, cleaners and sealers are zero HAPs (hazardous air pollutants).
2. Our manufacturing partners for the new line of HH solid hardwood furnishings repurposes their leftover wood shaving and pieces them into useful parts for other furnishings.
3. All home décor, finishes and fixtures we feature in the Healthier Homes shop are made from natural materials with handmade / organic / natural finishes. Many of our products are global fair trade which enable work opportunities for talented artisans and their families.
4. All boxes and stuffing materials are repurposed for outgoing shipments.
5. What cannot be repurposed or reused is recycled.
6. We advocate for ways to repurpose our Healthier Homes paint product containers and are always looking for new ideas!
7. The Healthier Homes model home / offices include: all low/no VOC construction materials and low/no VOC furnishings made from naturally sourced, sustainable components.
In keeping with our commitment to continual improvement, we are planning to take the following actions this year: On education and promotion of the sustainability cause:
1. Healthier Homes continues to spend a great deal of time researching and sharing information about materials and products used in construction, furnishings and fixtures.
2. Our focus remains on the health and wellbeing of the occupants inside of a home and the sustainable nature of our products. It is our hope to spread awareness and educate consumers on the benefits of healthy, sustainable living through our new book, Healthier Homes, as well as through our blog, videos, and social media.
3. The Healthier Homes team vets our manufacturing and wholesale partners to ensure they uphold the same quality sustainability we expect and practice. We’re excited to learn more about other SFC members!
4. We're proud to be a part of the SFC's initiatives and mission and look forward to working together towards bettering living environments and enabling our planet to thrive.
