When it comes to sustainability, all products are certainly not created equal. And, more to the point, there are significant differences between products that claim similar sustainability credentials. That’s why it’s essential that architects and specifiers opt for products and companies that have achieved verified independent third-party certifications, and undertake voluntary environmental initiatives like stewardship programs.
However, despite best intentions, the reality of the modern construction industry is that the final product does not always match the original design. Often, ambiguity in specifications can lead to last-minute substitution with inferior products onsite, meaning the intended benefits of a particular product are lost in the process. When substitutions take place, the substituted products are often cheaper, but lack the performance and credibility (particularly where sustainability is concerned) of the original product.
The simple fact is that builders may not be aware of an architect’s original reasons for specifying a particular product, leading them to make choices that are incongruous to the overall design intent.
That’s why, architects and specifiers have a significant role to play in this regard, by ensuring that products are installed as specified, and by making it clear to builders that the specified products are part of the project spec and have to meet identical (or better performance) to accept alternatives.
Architects are stepping up to their role as climate leaders, with the responsibility for driving future change. And to support this, leading manufacturer and supplier of blinds and window coverings, Verosol, has adopted a product stewardship approach to their business. This means taking responsibility for the full lifecycle impacts of their products from cradle to grave, and doing everything within their power as a producer to minimise that impact. Verosol’s approach to Product Stewardship is comprehensive, and focuses on four areas.
Take Back Program
Verosol is currently developing a program to reclaim old and disused Verosol products via a rebate system. Products will be broken down to their raw constituent materials and sorted for sustainable waste management.
Waste to Energy
Acknowledging that waste can never be reduced to zero, Verosol has formed a partnership to turn suitable waste products into a ready-to-use alternative fuel.
Waste Recycling
Waste that is not suitable for the Waste-to-Energy program is diverted from landfill wherever possible, with recycling frameworks currently in place for aluminium, cardboard, and fabric.
Material Reuse
Offcuts and reusable by-products from the manufacturing process are being made available for resale where the products are suitable for other purposes, or being repurposed by Verosol to make new products such as tote bags.
In addition to this product stewardship commitment, Verosol has achieved numerous certifications relating to their products - including Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Greenguard and Greenguard Gold Certification, Global GreenTag: Product Health Declarations (PHD’s), HealthRate, GreenRate, LCARate, Best Environmental Practice PVC, REACH and RoHS Compliance, as well as Cradle to Cradle (C2C). Each of these makes it easier for architects and specifiers to know exactly what they’re selecting, and its overall environmental impact.
Furthermore, architects and designers who specify Verosol's products can rest assured knowing that the company's manufacturing facilities in Australia and the Netherlands prioritise efficiency. Verosol achieves this through various initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint, including the installation and expansion of rooftop solar capabilities, the adoption of energy-efficient lighting, the electrification of production processes, and the transition towards a fully net-zero manufacturing operation.
With the responsibility of not just creating beautiful, fit-for-purpose designs for the built environment - but acting as leaders in the push towards a more sustainable industry, architects can rely on certain manufacturers to help with some of that lift. To do this, it’s essential to select products that have been through rigorous testing and certification processes, from companies with sustainability in their DNA. With environmental considerations at the centre of everything they do, Verosol is certainly one of these companies, and they are committed to working closely with industry professionals to not just advance but lead the climate agenda across the sector.
