The Tepperman’s team of buyers are constantly searching for home furnishing products to meet the needs of our customers and these customers are asking more and more about sustainable product choices. With this in mind, the buyers ask each of our suppliers about their sustainability story and we note all ways these products are more sustainable. We recognize that the products we sell have their own environmental impact during manufacturing and transportation to our distribution centers and retail stores. Each year we look to strengthen the sustainability of our product lines by choosing suppliers and working with manufacturers that promote positive environmental practices. We look forward to sharing these improvements as we progress with this goal.
Sustainability in our supply chain is not solely about the materials that are used to create our products, it is also about from where the products travel to reach our location. In 2022, we increased our North American product content by 18%, and sourced more than 50% of our products on our continent for the first time. We look for this trend to continue into 2023 and beyond.
Sustainable Wood in Our Products
Tepperman's is committed to the responsible use of forest resources, including the wood used in our furniture. Tepperman's therefore will work with our suppliers on an ongoing basis to eliminate unacceptably-sourced wood and to progressively increase the amount of responsible wood – wood from certified and recycled/reclaimed sources, procured over time.
Tepperman's recognizes the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Eco-Certified Composite (ECC) Sustainability Standard as important tools to promote responsible forest management. We have a preference for sourcing FSC and ECC-certified wood furniture when it meets our requirements. Tepperman's is also firmly committed to avoiding wood from unacceptable sources. The Anderson bedroom collection from Rotta (below) is 100% constructed with wood from 15000 acres of well-managed forests.
Through this policy, Tepperman's seeks to set a positive example for our peers and to do our part to protect the world’s forests.
Through this policy, Tepperman's seeks to set a positive example for our peers and to do our part to protect the world’s forests.
Other Materials
Many other materials in our product offering are reviewed for their sustainable components. A great example is our CR Plastics line that are Canadian-made locally in Stratford, and manufactured using up to 100% recycled plastics.
In addition, many of our sofas, chairs and mattresses have foam that is either made with natural soya oils, or recycled water bottles. One product in particular, the sleep chest below is one of our most sustainable products. The foams are certified under CertiPUR-US and GOLS standards, the textiles meet the stringent OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and it is constructed using only 100% FSC Certified wood.
