A respect
for the
environment

We have an abiding interest in harmony: harmony between people and objects, and harmony between objects and their environment. These convictions hold true for both aesthetic and environmental impact. We do not, and will not, ignore our responsibility. At the same time, we must acknowledge the paradox between industrial production and its environmental impact. It is a complex condition. When it comes to sustainability, how do you separate fashionable posturing from earnest solution? A complex condition requires a complex, thoughtful response and re-evaluation.
Our first step was to create a permanent environmental department, in 2005. We developed an environmental policy ranging from the management of the company (ISO 14001) to the transparent and honest communication of the environmental performance of our products, which are evaluated according to uniform standards. We have begun to utilize the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), which measures the environmental impact of a product from the extraction of raw materials, through the production process, to the use and disposal. This scientific method is the basis for the EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) tag, another important certification to which we aspire for our most widely produced products. Many of our products carry the Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) and meet the requirements of the Australian Green Star system that evaluates the design and environmental impact of buildings. Finally, each and every seat Arper produces carries the international GreenGuard certification, awarded to products that respect U.S. regulations regarding indoor emissions.
Environmental respect is not an imposed obligation. Our policies are an extension of the philosophy that governs everything we do, from the design of a table to the interaction of all those who sit around it.

Read more: Arper & the Environment
For more information, contact environment@arper.com