Sustainability
Our Forward-Focus Mentality Guides Us to Responsible Action.
A product is only as sustainable as the materials used to manufacture it. At VT, we let this simple tenet guide our decision-making with regard to raw material selection. Our ultimate goal is to produce VT Architectural Wood Doors, Dimensions Laminate Countertops, and CenterPointe Butcher Block Countertops with the most efficient use of natural resources while creating healthy working and living environments.
Sustainable materials in. Sustainable products out. The first rule of Forward Focus.
Learn how we use sustainable materials & processes to craft sustainable products.
Architectural Doors
VT Architectural Wood Doors are manufactured using pre-consumer recycled
|
Tops & Surfaces
VT Dimensions countertops are manufactured using pre-
|
Paneling & Woodworking
Maecenas faucibus mollis interdum. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis
|
Waste Management
All aspects of VT’s production processes are evaluated in order to keep waste at a minimum. In our plants, we collect paper, cardboard, metal, and plastic strapping, wood pallets, plastic used in packaging, and plastic barrels for recycling. 147 tons of materials were recycled in 2011 alone at our corporate facility.
|
Energy Management
VT has made many upgrades in energy efficiency throughout our manufacturing plants. For instance, high-efficiency T5 fluorescent lights have replaced metal halide lamps, helping our Hagerstown, Maryland plant reduce its energy consumption by 43% and our Bryan, Texas plant to reduce its energy consumption by over 50%. In 2010, the Bryan plant was given an “Energy Saver” award from the Department of Energy (DOE) for this achievement
|
Emissions Management
Reducing hazardous emissions from our production processes is naturally a priority at VT. Our largest manufacturing facility in Holstein, Iowa, complies with the emissions requirements of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, operating with VOCs and HAPs of 30% and 4%. Per unit produced, our HAPs have been reduced by 87% over a 6-year period
|
Safety Management
Valuing the safety of our employees above all else, VT is committed to operating with zero accidents or injuries. This focus has enabled us to reduce recordable incidents by 51% companywide since 2006, outpacing the average incident rate of wood product manufacturers at last reporting.
|
Knowledge + Education
It stands to reason that environmentally conscious policies and practices are possible only through the efforts of knowledgeable professionals. At VT, we have several LEED® Accredited Professionals on hand to assist with our customers’ LEED questions and requirements. We also offer continuing education programs that meet AIA Sustainable Design requirements, as well as an FSC Training Program to assist our customers with FSC Chain of Custody Certification.
Even our Customer Service department is engaged with our environmental commitment. We’ve gone paperless with the quote process, enabling us to use 410,000 fewer sheets of paper in 2011 than we did in 2010. And an active recycling program is in place in our service areas, just as it is on our manufacturing floors.