FAQs & Glossary of Terms

What’s the difference in being “Green” and Sustainability?

• Green
  refers to being eco-friendly or producing environmentally safe products. The term “green” can be used in many different ways.
• Sustainability
  is defined as reducing environmental impact through actions that "meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs." Most recently, the model of sustainability has been expanded to include both economic and social resources as well as environmental. Another definition of sustainability is being capable of continuing with minimal long-term effect on the environment; more specifically, it’s used when a product or process can be re-used or re-grown over and over.  For example: Wood is sustainable when harvested and replanted in a responsible way.

Areas of Sustainability:

• Environmental
  Pursuing continuous reduction of environmental risks and impacts over time to the vanishing point
• Social
  Taking an ethical approach to all social interactions and dealings with the goal of enhancing the quality of life of all persons coming into contact with your business
• Economic
  Leveling out the ups and downs of economic variability by taking a long-term view verses a short-term gain approach to the business
• What is a Chain-of-Custody?
  Chain-of-Custody refers to the tracking of forest products through all phases of ownership, processing and transportation, from the forest of origin to the end consumer

What are the different chain of custody certifications?

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) - an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. The FSC label provides a credible link between responsible production and consumption of forest products, enabling consumers and businesses to make purchasing decisions that benefit people and the environment as well as providing ongoing business value. FSC is currently the most well-known certification system.

PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) - is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization, which promotes sustainably managed forests through independent third party certification. The PEFC provides an assurance mechanism to purchasers of wood and paper products that they are promoting the sustainable management of forests. PEFC is currently the largest certification system.

SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) - an independent, non-profit organization responsible for maintaining, overseeing and improving a sustainable forestry certification program that is internationally recognized. With SFI, consumers can be confident they are buying wood or paper from well-managed, legal sources.

Which Larson-Juhl products are certified?

PEFC – Larson-Juhl’s Biltmore, Billiard, Dresden, Lancaster, Olmsted, Petite, Petite II, Sofia, Sorrento and Tapestry frame collections are all PEFC certified to ensure consumers that they’re purchasing product that has been harvested from well-managed, renewable sources.

FSC – Currently, Larson-Juhl’s Cascade, Domus and Stitch frame collections as well as 90 Artique matboards carry FSC certification; including the full line of Biltmore Artique product. We will continue to convert current colors over to FSC as it becomes available and as our inventory is reduced.

Which Larson-Juhl facilities are certified?

- Lira (Czech Republic) is PEFC & FSC certified.
- Arcobalegno (Italy) is PEFC & FSC certified.
- Senelar (France) is PEFC & FSC certified.
- Ashland (US) is PEFC, FSC & SFI certified.
- North American Distribution is PEFC, FSC & SFI certified.
- Canadian Distribution is FSC certified.

Glossary of Terms:

Alternative Energy - Usually environmentally friendly, this is energy from uncommon sources such as wind power or solar energy, not fossil fuels.

Carbon Footprint - A measure of one’s impact on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced.

Conservation - Preserving and renewing, when possible, human and natural resources.

Eco-Assessment - An evaluation of your home or work place with the aim of cutting your energy & water usage.

LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for design, construction and operation of high performance, green buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability.

Recycling - The process of collecting, sorting and reprocessing old material into usable raw materials.

Sustainability - is comprised of three “tenets”:

1. Social Responsibility - taking an ethical approach to all social interactions & dealings, with the goal of enhancing the quality of life and perceived and real well-being of all persons coming into contact with the organization.
2. Environmental Responsibility - pursuing environmental performance considered as continuous reduction of environmental risks & impacts over time, to the vanishing point.
3. Economic Responsibility - taking an approach to the value proposition of the organization which strives to level out the ups and downs of economic variability, extending the company’s existence over the long term by taking a general, rather than an annual approach to business.