About Us
Environmental Commitment
It is the policy of Conestoga Wood Specialties to make products in a safe workplace, to manage natural resources wisely, and to continually improve our environmental performance. Conestoga is committed to maintaining compliance with all local, state, and federal environmental regulations. Our environmental initiatives encompass nearly every segment of our business and are vital components of our sustainable company.
Processes
- We strive to reduce material waste by continually evaluating our purchasing and manufacturing processes to improve yield.
- We are constantly exploring new ways to reduce energy consumption through both process improvements and equipment upgrades.
- The sawdust created from our manufacturing processes has a second useful life as fuel or for agricultural applications.
- We have developed a process to recycle some of our cleanup solvents in-house in order to reduce waste and emissions.
- As part of our aggressive recycling program, our facilities recycled approximately 175 tons of paper and cardboard, 98 tons of metal, and 420 gallons of solvent in 2019.
Products
- All composite wood materials used meet the TSCA Title VI regulations for formaldehyde emissions.
- All of the raw MDF panels we purchased in 2019 were ECC-411 sustainability standard certified by the Composite Panel Association.
- Conestoga is committed to the social and environmental benefits of sustainable forestry and reviews this commitment with our lumber suppliers on an annual basis.
- We work closely with adhesive suppliers to source low-VOC glues as well as low or no added urea formaldehyde glues.
Certification
Conestoga was the first associate member of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer’s Association (KCMA) to receive Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) certification in 2008 and has continually achieved certification each year since. This program certifies our sustainability practices and procedures related to air quality, product resource management, process resource management, community relations, and environmental stewardship.
Our roots are deep . . . our Pennsylvania Dutch heritage laid a solid foundation for good stewardship in the use of our natural resources. That makes it natural for us to embrace sound environmental practices. It’s not new to us, it’s who we are!
-Karen McCoach, Corporate Environmental Manager