Going Green

“Our facilities are cleaner, safer, and more efficient, and going green has helped us keep our selling prices low as well.”

We've always prided ourselves on using state-of-the-art processes and equipment, and we have always been mindful of efficiency standards and trying to avoid being wasteful. That's just good business.

But a little while ago, we began to look at our operations specifically from a standpoint of sustainability: using resources responsibly, and being good stewards of our environment. After doing some research and introducing new programs, we quickly discovered that sustainability is more than a buzzword, or a catchy tagline for our marketing department, or a cheap gimmick.

"Going green" has real, tangible results—for our environment, our community… and even for our customers.

Why "Go Green?

  • Taking responsibility for our environment
    • Less waste is hauled off to the landfill
    • Less energy and material are required to do business
    • No pollution is deposited into the area
  • Saving money to reduce costs—and prices
    • Using materials more efficiently
    • Conserving energy with more efficient equipment and techniques
    • Selling or donating scrap and by-products rather than throwing them away
    • Maintaining a clean and safe work environment to reduce the risk of injuries to our people or costly accidents

All of this means that our facilities are cleaner, safer, and more efficient, and reducing our own operating costs means we're able to keep our selling prices low as well.

Our Process Is Environmentally Friendly

  • There are no toxic chemicals to dispose of.
  • Unused springs can be sold as scrap steel.
  • Scrap wood can be reused in new frames or burned for heat.
  • Poly foam, fabric, and fiber can be reclaimed and shredded to be reused.

Smith Brothers's Recycling Efforts Are Paying Off

  • Recycled 19,048 pounds of cotton and fiber—equal to the weight of 127 sofas
  • Recycled 63,293 pounds of leather scraps—equal to the weight of 47 cows
  • Recycled 7800 pounds of plastic—equal to the weight of 52 sofas
  • Recycled 4580 pounds of steel—equal to the weight of 30 sofas
  • Reduced waste by 16%—equal to the weight of 573 sofas!
  • Total energy costs down 2.5%

Latest Efforts at Smith Brothers

  • We have found a new provider for natural gas, and estimate that we will save 7% of heating costs next year
  • We plan to begin selling scrap fabric, to be used in dog beds and mattress pads.
  • We are continuing to reduce electricity use—we have turned down pressure on air compressors, installed weather stripping panels on loading docks, and are turning off lights when not in use. We will be working with our electricity provider to find more opportunities.
  • We have an eye on efficiency in our paint shop—this year, a technician from Sherwin Williams trained Smith Brothers personnel on better spray techniques and equipment settings, to realize better yield and use less product.