We demonstrate responsible environmental management by complying with applicable environmental laws, regulations and obligations in addition to working to reduce the environmental burden of waste generation and emissions to the air, water and land. We strive to ensure that any waste generated is properly disposed of in a safe and responsible manner and we also seek out opportunities for recycling, pollution prevention and efficient use of natural resources, including energy. We utilize our EFEC initiatives to develop and implement a rigorous reuse and recycling program.
Our waste management programs consist of the following elements:
Prevention and reduction at the source
Environmentally sound recycling
Proper disposal of hazardous waste
Environmentally sound disposal of non-hazardous waste
Electronic waste
We strive to comply with all local, state, federal and international rules and regulations related to electronic waste through appropriate recycling and disposal of these materials.
Emissions and spills
Our manufacturing operations obtain the appropriate air emission permits for the regulated activities at their site, including implementation of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Wood Manufacturing Operations at the appropriate locations. Many of the materials we utilize do not have volatile organic emissions or are extremely low such as water-based adhesives and TSCA Title VI / California Air Resource Board composite-wood formaldehyde air emissions compliant materials. In addition, we have not had any major on-site spills during Fiscal 2021.
Hazardous and non-hazardous waste
We are focused on reducing waste, increasing recycling and energy efficiency, and consuming fewer resources. Implementing the EFEC environmental management system has aided us to complete many initiatives to reduce, reuse and recycle our waste materials.
We recycle, reutilize or reuse most of the business waste, production waste, chemical waste and packaging waste at our La-Z-boy Branded Manufacturing operations (including our Cut and Sew Center in Mexico), La-Z-boy Casegoods U.S. operations, La-Z-boy Distribution Centers, and our World Headquarters (“utility monitored operations”). We strive to ensure that any waste generated is properly disposed of in a safe and environmentally sound manner in accordance with our environmental policy. We are evaluating methods to increase our recycling efforts for our other business units.
The amount of waste and recycled material generated as a result of our waste and recycling monitored operations for Fiscal 2022* is as follows:
Generated non-hazardous waste: 35 698 341 livres
Reused or recycled non-hazardous waste: 33 732 729 (95%)
Pounds
Shipments to off-site waste-converted-to-energy facilities
522 490
Wood materials utilized in on-site wood fired boilers
11 439 669
Other reused or recycled methods
21 770 570
Landfilled waste: 1 962 002 livres
Hazardous waste management: 0 livres
*unaudited
We are evaluating methods to increase our corporate data management systems for hazardous and non-hazardous waste for our other business unit operations but believe they are significantly less than those provided above.
In FY 2022, we reduced the amount of waste disposed of by our LZB Branded Manufacturing through reuse, recycling or reutilize by 95%
Packaging material
We either reuse or recycle as much packaging material as possible from our manufacturing locations, distribution warehouses or when furniture is delivered to our customers. Plastic, cardboard, metal and many other items are all recycled within our manufacturing facilities. The distribution centers have a packaging return program with our manufacturing facilities for many items (including card board boxes and plastic bags furniture is transported in). We recycle the packaging materials at the RDCs that are not reused (including densifiers to recycle Styrofoam). Packaging associated with the furniture that our distribution centers deliver is removed prior to delivery (either reused or recycled) and re-usable furniture blankets are used to deliver furniture.
Conservation and resource management
We have greatly reduced our use of landfills or other off-site disposal means. As part of our commitment to environmental stewardship, we continue to improve the efficiency of our operations, increase our use of recycled materials, and control raw material waste.
Corporate-owned La-Z-boy Furniture Galleries stores are reducing their carbon footprint by decreasing energy use and utilizing greener construction materials, eco-friendly light bulbs, paint and flooring.
We continue to seek and embrace additional sustainable initiatives and best practices, including opportunities to incorporate renewable energy sources. Our Severn, Maryland store now relies on a rooftop solar energy system for 70% of its energy needs.
