Sustainability

Aware of the growing need to guard the planet, Vanguard Furniture takes a leading position in the industry in developing environmentally-conscious furnishings. Sustainability is more than a program — we see it as a way of life. Working in all areas of our enterprise, from suppliers to our manufacturing process, we emphasize reducing waste and using sustainable elements. We hope you will help us as we do our part to guard the planet.

Corporate Initiatives

• Sustainable Furnishings Council. Vanguard joined the SFC in 2007 to help understand ways in which our manufacturing process could become sustainable. Sustainable practices are those that balance environmental and social concerns as well as the usual economic concerns. More info regarding the SFC >
  

• Manufacturing By-Product Recycling. The bulk of the waste created during the manufacturing process is recycled by Vanguard. Our corporate goal is to recycle 100% of all post-manufacturing waste in order to eliminate landfill needs. Each year, nearly 24,000 pounds of plastic from containers and packaging is recycled, along with over 180,000 pounds of fabric. All fabric and wood waste is sent via partners to be recycled or re-manufactured for other uses, rather than being sent to landfills.

Wood Products

• Sustainable Forestry. The majority of Vanguard case goods have panels with cores that are sourced from certified well-managed facilities according to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

• Laminated Hardwood. Vanguard partners with a founding member of the FSC for laminated wood, which is used in frame construction with yields of approximately 85% from one 4x6 sheet of plywood.

• Reclaimed Wood. In certain cases, Vanguard uses wood products from unusual sources, such as used car crates, to be re-manufactured into high-quality furnishings.

• Wood Scraps. We partner with local manufacturers to ensure that our wood scraps are utilized in a recycled manner. Currently our wood scraps provide fuel for a manufacturer's boiler.

• Saw Dust. Dust created through wood-working is converted into a recycled, saleable material.

Cushions

• Natural Fibers. The majority of Vanguard cushion options include a mix of duck feathers and down, which are all natural by-products.

• Springs. Vanguard's coils contain more than 80% scrap or recycled material. The manufacturing process uses no chemicals or hazardous materials, and all finished springs are shipped in recycled-paper cartons.

• Polyurethane Foam. All of Vanguard's polyurethane foam products are certified by the CertiPUR-US. This certification has the most extensive testing standards in North America. One of the main benefits is the assurance that the products do not contain harmful materials such as lead, mercury and PBDE fire retardants.

Textiles

• Eco-Friendly Fabrics. Many Vanguard fabrics are made of 100% natural fibers such as cotton, wool and linen. We continually work with vendors so that we may offer fabrics that are created with recycled materials. If not 100% natural, many of our fabrics contain recycled polyester components, or are made with 100% post-industrial recycled polyester fibers.

• Salvaged Fabrics. Vanguard also offers several fabrics that have been salvaged from other resources. Whether it's a patched and worn truck tarp or a 100-year-old hemp feed sack from France, we love to take advantage of the eco-chic trend and use up-cycled fabrics for statement-making upholstery pieces.

Marketing Materials

• Printed Materials. Many of Vanguard's printed catalogs and point-of-purchase materials bear the mark of the International Forest Stewardship Council. This certification means that forest products used in our printed materials were made from forests whose owners and managers followed the best social and environmental practices. This includes earth-friendly paper, soy-based inks and partnerships with printers who are FSC-certified.

• Marketing Correspondence. Over a decade ago, Vanguard embarked on a goal to have a paperless administration process. All of our acknowledgements and invoices are now emailed to our customers, rather than printing paper products. Our state-of-the-art scanning software allows the administrative side of the business to eliminate paper in the office. Similarly, with new ways of digitally communicating with our retail and consumer customers, we have eliminated printed event invitations, product tear-sheets, and even some catalogs and price lists.