Responsible Wood Sourcing Policy
Our Commitment
Vermont Woods Studios, a retailer of Vermont made wood furniture, is committed to the responsible use of forest resources, including the wood used in our furniture. Our commitment to sustainability is baked into everything that we do. We work with the furniture makers who supply us to ensure they avoid wood from unacceptable sources. We encourage them to progressively increase their use of wood from certified and recycled, upcycled and reclaimed sources. Our eco friendly approach has earned us a Top Score Award from the Sustainable Furnishings Council and National Wildlife Federation on the Wood Furniture Scorecard
Vermont Woods Studios is firmly committed to avoiding wood from unacceptable sources, including:
- Timber originating outside of North America
- Illegally harvested or traded timber
- Timber harvested from areas in which high conservation values are threatened by poor forest management
- Timber harvested from areas being converted from forests to plantations or non-forest use
- Timber from forests in which genetically modified trees are planted
We Are Committed to the Mission of the FSC
Vermont Woods Studios recognizes the Forest Stewardship Council FSC as an important tool to promote responsible forest management. We have a preference for sourcing FSC-certified wood furniture when it meets our requirements.
All of Our Wood Furniture is Sustainably Sourced in North America
As a furniture retailer, we source our furniture almost exclusively from Vermont furniture makers. We work closely with each of these partners to ensure our wood furniture comes from sustainable North American forests.
We do not sell furniture made from tropical wood. We do not sell furniture that contains (non-Canadian) imported wood. Since wood sourcing is known to have some level of imperfection, it seems judicious to avoid promising that 100% of our wood is sustainably sourced, however, that is our goal and to our knowledge it is true.
The wood species we offer are all North American: black cherry, sugar maple, red oak, black walnut and ash. Occasionally, internal framework for our case goods and wooden slats for our beds are made from poplar or another suitable North American wood.
Our wood is sourced as locally as is feasible. Maple and oak wood typically come from Vermont. Much of our black cherry wood is sourced in PA state forests which are certified by the FSC. Ash is harvested as part of ongoing efforts to manage the emerald ash borer. Overall, we estimate that more than 25% of the wood in our furniture is FSC certified or recycled/upcycled/ reclaimed and all of it is harvested from North American forests, which are well maintained and adhere to strict environmental public policies.
Responsible Wood Sourcing Goals
Our 2023 goal is to work with our wholesale furniture makers to be able to offer one or more additional FSC certified and/or recycled/reclaimed furniture collections. We are collaborating with a company that specializes in providing wood salvaged from urban areas, rather than harvested wood, to create new product lines. Our goal is to launch these new lines in 2024.
We envision a future where the origins of lumber are recorded more transparently and reliably, leveraging blockchain technology to allow independent third party verification and ensure the accuracy of the information.
Third Party Verification
While we do not order third party audits of our reporting on the implementation of this policy, we are happy to answer any questions you might have about how we are able to trace the sources of the woods used in the furniture we sell.
Our Sustainability Goal
Sustainability is not new to Vermont. For over 200 years Vermonters have been building quality furniture using sustainably harvested wood and ecologically friendly finishes.
Our goal is to continue this tradition by supporting our partner workshops in continually improving the sustainability of their operations. This includes encouraging them to seek or renew FSC certification and to use recycled/reclaimed wood. Our 2023 goal is to work with our wholesale furniture makers to be able to offer one or more additional FSC certified and/or recycled/reclaimed furniture collections in 2024.
Further Information and Reporting
Through this Policy, Vermont Woods Studios seeks to set a positive example for our peers and to do our part to protect the world’s forests. We report on our sustainability progress annually in January. See our blog for highlights from previous years. Full reports are available upon request.
Questions can be directed to our CEO, Peggy Farabaugh via our contact us page.