Carbon Best Practices
- Responsible wood-sourcing (certified or reclaimed)
- Switch to renewable energy sources for manufacturing facilities
- Conduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to identify carbon hotspots
- Set and track carbon reduction targets across operations
- Improve energy efficiency through upgraded equipment and systems (e.g. LED lighting)
- Optimize transportation and logistics to reduce fuel emissions
- Source materials locally or regionally to cut transport-related carbon emissions
- Publicly disclose emissions data and reduction progress
Health Best Practices
- Eliminate harmful chemical inputs (e.g., flame retardants, PFAS, formaldehyde)
- Choose natural, bio-based materials
- Choose low-VOC or VOC-free adhesives, finishes, and coatings
- Use certified safer materials (e.g., Greenguard Gold, Cradle to Cradle, Oeko-Tex)
- Ensure proper ventilation and indoor air quality in production areas
- Train employees on material safety and handling procedures
- Disclose material ingredients to promote transparency and safety
Social Best Practices
- Provide living wages for all workers, domestic and international
- Ensure safe and healthy working conditions
- Offer flexible hours and supportive benefits
- Foster a workplace grounded in respect, dignity, and equity for all, including women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals
- Provide ongoing training and development opportunities
- Support employee wellness through programs and resources
- Engage in fair labor practices across the supply chain (if vertically integrated)
Waste Best Practices
- Implement lean manufacturing to minimize material waste
- Track and inventory scrap materials for reuse or repurposing
- Standardize material dimensions to reduce trim waste
- Reuse or repurpose production offcuts
- Avoid overproduction through accurate demand forecasting
- Reduce or eliminate single-use packaging materials
- Partner with local recyclers or upcyclers for material diversion
Water Best Practices
- Monitor and meter water use at the production level
- Conduct regular facility-wide water audits
- Install water-efficient machinery and fixtures
- Implement closed-loop or water-recycling systems
- Treat and reuse greywater where possible
- Ensure proper treatment of wastewater before discharge
- Set water reduction targets and track progress
Circularity Best Practices
- Design for disassembly
- Incorporate recycled and recyclable materials
- Plan for product repair and part replacement
- Offer refurbishment or remanufacturing programs
- Use modular designs for easy upgrades
- Eliminate toxic additives that hinder recyclability
- Reduce packaging or use reusable packaging
- Conduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCA)
- Design with cradle-to-cradle principles in mind
