Here, at Arbor Garden Solutions, our mission, as part of a triple bottom line approach, is to promote environmental mindfulness through environmentally friendly practices and processes, holding our supply chain to a higher standard of sustainable practices, reducing and offsetting our carbon footprint via green initiatives, and striving towards becoming a role model to other companies by growing the business in a socially responsible way that reflects the company values and interest in protecting the environment and the finite resources that we all share.
Procurement
- All Timber suppliers, current and future, are to comply with EUTR, FSC and PEFC and be up to date with their certifications.
- All suppliers must have their own reverse logistics processes with returns disposition heavily weighted towards the least environmental impact (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).
Transport
- Using the most up-to-date routing systems to reduce mileage.
- Endorsing correct driving practices to reduce CO2 emissions.
- Space saving exercises in loading vehicles reducing fleet size required.
Packaging and Materials Handling
- Reducing cardboard packaging to the absolute bare minimum, reusing everything left over until depletion and then recycling.
- Majority of shrink-wrap was phased out in favour of banning.
Products
- Adhering to the waste hierarchy tool reduces waste in landfills to almost non-existent levels.
- Using product life-cycle extension programmes and initiatives across the business.
- Promoting and using designs and manufacturing processes that minimize the use of hazardous materials and waste.
Arbor Garden Solutions is a manufacturer that uses sustainably sourced timber for 100% of its production activities. As a company that goes the extra mile to source responsibly, we also apply the same rigorous procedures to ensure our manufacturing policies are as environmentally friendly as economically viable, and one of those policies is Waste Reduction.
Timber is a living resource, as such, it has its imperfections, and as it’s felled and seasoned it continues to react to its surroundings (moisture, heat, etc.) amplifying these imperfections. Some view these imperfections as defects and in pursuit of customer satisfaction will dispose of said timber by burning it or worse, disposing of it in landfills. A product that does not have anything wrong with its structural integrity, a product that will last for years, a product that will be discarded just because it’s not appealing visually due to being real and natural, well, to us, that is an absolute waste and an environmental disaster.
Adhering to our environmental policy, we produce designs and employ procedures to use every bit of timber regardless of its imperfections. Our products are made of real and natural timber, our operation produces near zero waste and as long as the timber is free of rot and is structurally solid, it will be used to produce natural and long-lasting furniture.
Before purchasing, please consider that it’s a natural timber product and thus, as a business, we cannot and will not promise you a product that is 100% visually perfect, but what we can promise, is a product that is natural, unique, long-lasting and most important environmentally friendly.
Understanding Wood Imperfections
Impact of Cracks and Small Surface Shakes on Furniture Structural Integrity
While cracks and small surface shakes can be unsightly, they do not necessarily impair the structural integrity of the furniture. In fact, many small cracks and shakes can be considered a natural part of the wood's character and can even add to the beauty of the piece.
Most cracks and small surface shakes occur due to the natural drying process of wood and are not an indication of poor construction or weak materials. Additionally, small cracks and shakes are often located on the surface of the wood and do not penetrate the entire thickness of the piece. Therefore, they do not significantly affect the strength or stability of the furniture.
However, if the cracks or shakes are large or deep enough to penetrate through the thickness of the wood, they can compromise the structural integrity of the furniture. In these cases, the piece should be repaired or replaced to prevent any safety hazards.
Read more
Understanding Wood Imperfections: Causes, Impact, and Repair
Exploring Natural Colour Variations and Pressure Treated Timber
How To Maintain Your Wooden Furniture