Sustainability

Green Products. Gold Standards.

LIFECORE® subscribes to the simple philosophy that everything we make, and everything we do, should help contribute to the best possible environment. That applies to both the world we live in, and the world in your living room.

Our dedication to corporate social responsibility means that we enthusiastically embrace a progressive vision beyond our greener, healthier flooring. This includes a commitment to responsible forestry, wildlife protection, wood waste management, community assistance, and strong health and safety ethics in our manufacturing process. In other words, you can breathe easy and rest easier knowing that LIFECORE® is doing justice to the highest of standards.

Sustainable Forestry

LIFECORE® is as concerned about our planet’s environment as the one in your home. We have developed a thoughtful forest management plan that allows us to source beautiful, plentiful wood without depleting natural resources.

Lacey Act Compliant Logo

Our approach to selective harvesting means that we only harvest mature, commercial trees on a rotational cycle. Harvested areas are then closed for a prescribed period of time before the next cycle in the same area. This allows younger trees to grow while removing aged trees that would otherwise die naturally. By allowing forests to regenerate naturally, the balance of our ecosystem is respected.

Additionally, LIFECORE® is in strict compliance with the Lacey Act, a federal regulation that prohibits trade in wildlife, fish, plants, and trees that have been illegally taken, transported, harvested, or sold. There is no higher standard for responsible forestry.

Wildlife Protection

It has been said that love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man. LIFECORE® can see the forest through the trees, and is mindful that to countless wildlife species, this is home.

Our factory has a proud history with the Wildlife Conservation Society of New York (WCS) and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), which conducts wildlife, biodiversity, and conservation research and surveys in our forests. They have supported our efforts for having “shown an initiative in putting in place long term monitoring and conservation efforts in its forest management units,” and acknowledged that our “engagement with local communities and conservation non-government organizations is commendable, and this continued engagement holds great promise for wildlife conservation within the forest management units.”
We could not have said it better ourselves.

Community Outreach

We have a long tradition of working harmoniously with the communities near our forests. More than just simply to coexist with our neighbors, we strive to improve quality of life for the community as a whole.

Many of the forests we harvest from are near remote villages without the basics we take for granted. Road access is limited, making travel between villages or to healthcare facilities long and challenging. Many villagers struggle to retain fresh water or electricity in their weathered, unsafe homes and common areas.

We at LIFECORE® do our small part by helping with their most basic needs. Our team will repair structures and bridges, clear roads, fix improper electrical wiring, and maintain water pipes. We also assist with arranging transportation to schools, clinics, and other necessary trips. And on those occasions when weather-related tragedy strikes, our humanitarian and disaster relief efforts offer food, financial contributions, and much-needed building materials to the affected communities.

Why do we do this? Because we believe that the soul of a company can only be measured by the hearts of the people in it.

Wood Waste Management

There is more than one way to save a tree, and LIFECORE® believes in maximizing the potential of unused wood. That’s why we have implemented a responsible wood waste management program.

Across our integrated wood supply chain — from our upstream log harvesting operations to downstream manufacturing — we make full use of raw materials in areas of process improvement, product innovation, and manufacturing. Wood waste is then processed into value-added products such as fiberboard and particleboard, and renewable energy is generated through the use of biomass fuel such as wood residuals.

This not only helps us keep waste out of the landfills, but also repurposes leftover material from one tree to save another from being cut down.