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Fermob
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:
2019: Optimizing energy consumption remains one of Fermob’s key concerns, as regularly demonstrated through concrete action such as regular reductions in the temperature of our paint ovens (-50°F in 25 years), using low consumption baking (-10%) and investing in a new painting line, saving 8 tons of powder per year.
2017: Fermob was honored to be the fourth manufacturer to earn Gold Exemplary Recognition by SFC for its deep environmental commitment and exemplary implementation of a range of best practices and achievements for sustainability.
Since January 2017, Fermob eliminated industrial water release.
Fermob participates in the Eco-Emballages (“Eco-Packaging”) program which is designed to minimize waste in packaging, and as an example, cardboard use has been minimized - supplies are shipped using reusable metal racks when possible.
Since June 2016, fumes from the paint oven are captured and reused to heat the oven.
2015: Changing lights to LED in our new showroom.
Since 2009, we've maintained ISO 14 001 certification of our production site. Fermob has been recognized for all efforts towards sustainable development. This certification requires an annual audit renewal every three years.
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:
Most Fermob products are made of steel or aluminum and 98% of all iron and aluminum is now recycled worldwide.
Fermob only uses wood that is PEFC Certified. No PBDE foams are used in cushions.
The powder paints used by Fermob contain no solvents. They are 100% recycled and recyclable. They are applied in a zero-waste facility, with multiple successive steps for guaranteed outdoor use.
Fermob selects only the most rigorous suppliers in terms of sustainable development for Outdoor Technical Fabrics (OTF). Ferrari, a French manufacturer and the main OTF supplier, has committed itself to a unique, patented recycling process – Texyloop® – which guarantees that 100% of the fabric constituents are recycled. This approach means that OTF off-cuts are salvaged and recycled and fabrics are recycled when they reach the end of their lifespan.
2015: Investigating textile sourcing and sustainability of fabrics. All metals remain recycled and all woods remain carefully monitored.
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:
2019: We are sponsoring a portion of the SFC Market Guide to Green, for the High Point Market, Oct. 2019. We are donating furniture for use in the SFC booth.
2017: Annual meetings are held with staff to train and reinforce activities to reduce environmental impact.
2015: Improving communication about reuse policies; participating in trade event to educate staff and customers; communicating via social media about our commitment to sustainability.
