Sauder Woodworking Co. Releases 2023 Sustainability Report

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Sauder Woodworking Co. continues its dedication to environmental stewardship, reflecting its core value of "Acting today for a better tomorrow," as seen in its recently released annual Sustainability Report.

The annual report showcases the company’s comprehensive approach to energy management, water conservation, and waste minimization. Officials say that by combining these efforts with the use of low carbon footprint raw materials and freight-efficient packaging, Sauder exemplifies outstanding environmental stewardship.

"Sauder Woodworking was founded in 1934 on the principles of Stewardship and Better Ways," says Kevin Sauder, CEO at Sauder Woodworking Co. "Today, three generations later, we continue to honor those principles by producing environmentally responsible products in ways that conserve our world today and preserve it for future generations."

In 2023, Sauder Woodworking furthered its commitment to sustainable business practices by joining the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The SBTi sets scientifically determined targets to help businesses understand the necessary reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. Sauder’s alignment with these standards underscores its pledge to curb global temperature increases and contribute to avoiding catastrophic climate impacts. 

Key Highlights from the 2023 Sustainability Report include:

Solid Waste and Recycling

  • Sauder has maintained a remarkable streak of 30 consecutive years without sending any wood waste to a landfill. The company’s co-generation plant, which generates electricity from wood scraps and sawdust, plays a pivotal role in this achievement.
  • In 2023, Sauder recycled over 97 percent of the total solid waste generated. Excluding wood, over 70 percent of solid waste was recycled, demonstrating Sauder's ongoing commitment to reducing, reusing, and recycling materials.

 Carbon Footprint

  • Over the past decade, Sauder has reduced its total carbon footprint (CO2e) by 29 percent. In 2023, the company's total carbon emissions decreased by an impressive 17.1 percent, surpassing the annual reduction target set by the SBTi.
  • Initiatives such as revising shift schedules to create a "dark" period during peak energy hours and reconfiguring dust collection systems contributed significantly to this reduction.

Water Conservation:

  • Sauder’s co-generation plant saw a reduction of over 7.5 million gallons (26 percent) in water usage during 2023, aligning with the decrease in total power generation for the year.
  • The company's production processes remain highly efficient, with minimal water consumption outside of sanitary purposes.  

Visit www.sauder.com for more information and to read the full 2023 Sustainability Report.