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Over the past year, the people at Belfort Furniture have invested over $100,000 in efficient LED lighting, with advanced color technology to accurately represent fabric color and wood finishes.
Belfort is also adding and upgrading window tinting in select areas to minimize heat gain and reduce the thermal load on HVAC systems. It has specified new windows to minimize heat gain and loss and is adding canopies over select exposed windows to reduce heat while still allowing daylight.
Transport logistics are a primary user of energy in the furniture industry, due to large cargo sizes. Belfort utilizes advanced routing software for delivery operations. This way, the transportation team can route delivery trucks in the most efficient way and minimize fuel usage. Incoming freight is similarly optimized to reduce miles traveled by consolidating truckloads from major manufacturing and distribution hubs.
Belfort has created a Responsible Wood Sourcing Policy, formalizing a preference for locally sourced and harvested hardwoods. For products sourced from non-regional manufacturers, the company requests information on the source of the wood, with a preference for third-party certified wood. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is considered the gold standard and Belfort is committed to offering select products with FSC certification where available. And one section of the store features products from suppliers who use reclaimed and other sustainably sourced wood.
Belfort’s vendor report card includes a section regarding relative performance of sustainability so that vendor/supplier initiatives can be tracked and rewarded through preferential sourcing to companies with an environmental commitment.
Recent product additions include sustainably sourced linen and other natural textile options for upholstery. Belfort is working with select upholstery manufacturers to better identify more eco-friendly textiles in its fabric design center.
Belfort’s newest product tags provide more space, allowing for information regarding sustainable features and material sourcing to be noted on each displayed piece. On the company’s “new-product checklist” there are questions regarding material sourcing and sustainability. This information goes into Belfort’s product database for reference by sales and design staff, as well as consumers.
This collection uses non-toxic, environmentally safe baked powder coatings for a scratch resistant finish.
The innovative sample re-use program at Belfort provides small rug samples to libraries so that kids can use them for seating mats during story time. The children get to choose a rug that goes with their own personal style, while learning about the value of reusing materials. Belfort also donates fabric swatch samples to local schools for art projects, and offers fabrics to craft-persons and artists whenever possible.
The Sustainable Furnishings Council is proud to have Belfort Furniture as a Member. For more on the ways Belfort protects the planet, please see their website. We hope you will use this information to make more informed choices about your next furniture purchase.