...........Environmental Sustainability...........

Gordon International has worked closely with its vendor base to develop a sustainable environmental policy that balances the logic of 'green' ambitions with the limitations inherent in contract office furniture. The manufacturing process for metals, plastics, woods and upholstery materials is inherently impactful on the environment, and will continue to influence our planet well into the future.

Our objective is to align ourselves with resources that are mindful of 'Life Cycle Assessment' policy, fully engaged in the use of completely recyclable materials, and working toward a comprehensive set of efficiency standards, from materials usage to systems and work flows.

We are proud to represent some of Europe's leaders in these areas, and to promote product designs in the United States that are compliant with the rigorous standards of ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management). 14001 certification standards set the bar for mindful environmental policy in Europe today, and represent the most comprehensive approach to good environmental stewardship in the global furniture industry.

Not all of our products currently meet these standards, but we continue to work toward that end, and provide icons for sustainability where applicable on the ensuing pages.

Gordon International achieved comprehensive Greenguard certification for our seating line in 2010. This certification ensures that emissions from our seating are well below the tolerance standards established for new green building design. A small handful of our products were not available for testing prior to printing this Buyer's Guide. Be sure to check our web for updates if the Greenguard Icon is missing from an item in this book.

A global recycling symbol is used to indicate that all materials in the applicable product are at least 99% recyclable. Note that while our products attempt to consume as few new resources as possible, it is often the case that recycled materials cannot be used in furniture. Recycled plastics, for example, do not maintain the durability necessary for high impact, public space use. Thus, the distinction between 'recycled' and 'recyclable'. Many of our products do contain some level of 'recycled' product as well.

A blue sky symbol is used to indicate that the OEM responsible for all component parts of this product has been certified as ISO 9001 compliant. This certification ensures a Total Quality Management approach that takes into consideration proper stewardship of all activities related to product development, production and fulfillment.

A leaf symbol is used to indicate that the OEM responsible for all component parts of this product has been certified as ISO 14001 compliant. This certification ensures not only current compliance, but more significantly, an approach that will evolve effectively with future technological advances that benefit the global green initiative.

Since green policy is ever evolving, we encourage specifiers to please visit our web for updates and additional materials.

Highlights

As a general outline of key points in our contribution to the contract furniture industry's green initiative, please note the following highlights:

We are fully engaged in the use of recyclable materials - frames and shells are 99% recyclable after use and often include more than 30% recycled components

We offer a comprehensive range of fabrics, leathers and vinyls that are sensitive to environmental concerns, including vegetable dyed leathers and reduced environmental impact, pvc-free upholstery options

Products incorporate pre - consumer and post - consumer recycled materials

Most wood components are from FSC certified wood resources

Greenguard certification - qualifies products for low chemical emissions standards

Domestically manufactured with point of final assembly in New York - within 500 mile radius of many destinations

OEM Production facilities iso 14001- environmental systems

OEM Production facilities iso 9001- quality management systems

Lean OEM manufacturing environments promote improvements in the production process. Reductions in environmental waste focus on such considerations as excess energy, water use, hazardous waste and solid waste disposal.

Packaging - corrugated cardboard materials and containers used for packaging and transport of furniture products made with a minimum of 35% recycled material – GI cartons are from 100% recycled material

Parts replacement and service available - extending product life cycle

Contract durability with a 10 year warranty - assures extensive life cycle