Bernhardt Design is a family-owned business operating in the foothills of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, a location endowed with earthly riches – clean air, pure water, and an abundance of natural resources. In order to protect and preserve these natural treasures, Bernhardt Design is committed to environmental excellence in all business activities – from the design of products to the manufacturing facilities and processes – and is dedicated to instilling high environmental values in its employees. In addition to complying with all state, federal, and local regulations, Bernhardt Design has long-standing corporate policies to provide a safe and healthful workplace while conserving energy and natural resources. These policies cover the reduction of emissions, water, energy, waste and packaging materials, use of renewable and sustainable materials, employee training and involvement, supply chain management and the pursuit of environmental certifications.

Life-cycle thinking not only impacts how furniture is designed and produced, but also how daily business is conducted. In addition to in-house environmental policies, Bernhardt Design communicates and partners with suppliers, governmental agencies, and BIFMA to assist in achieving results consistent with environmental leadership

As a sign of this commitment, a company-wide environmental management system has been instated. The Bernhardt Design facilities are monitored and inspected, and annual audits are conducted to measure the progress in the reduction of electricity, water, solid and hazardous waste. A significant reduction in greenhouse gases was recorded recently as a result of eliminating coal as a fuel source, substituting wood waste from the manufacturing process.

Protecting the forests, which capture carbon dioxide and protect against global warming, is a company goal. Raw materials are chosen to preserve natural resources. Lumber and veneers are sourced only from sustainably harvested woodlands. Rapidly renewable resources – materials harvested within ten-year or shorter life cycle – are considered first in the designing process.

Seating finishes contain low VOC’s and formaldehyde; water-borne finishes are used when possible for product lines. Conference and credenza products receive an ultraviolet top sealer coat which contains low VOC’s and HAPS and no formaldehyde. Most Bernhardt Design seating and table products are SCS Indoor Advantage™ certified.

Recycling of materials and reduction of waste are monitored. In order to reduce landfill use, employees recycle cardboard, plastic, leather scraps, paper and styrofoam. Wood dust is collected and used to fuel heat for the manufacturing process. Suppliers are encouraged to reduce packaging. Reusable blankets are used whenever possible to wrap product shipments to minimize cardboard and packing materials.

Clean burning, ultra-low sulfur fuel is purchased for company trucks. Newer tractors are equipped with the DPF exhaust system which re-circulates the exhaust through a burner to remove the sulfur in the fuel.

Community outreach is an essential feature of the environmental management program. Working with a local high school to increase its recycling efforts, representatives of Bernhardt Design met with students in a special assembly and challenged them to double the quantities of materials recycled during a five-month period. Bernhardt Design contributed special recycling containers and offered rewards to the students leading the recycling effort. As a result of this program, the recycling of paper and plastics at the school increased 114%.

Bernhardt Design corporately pledges to promote sound and sustainable business practices for the benefit of all for now and for years to come. This pledge includes strict adherence to set policies to reduce water and energy consumption; improve air quality and emissions; increase the use of renewable, sustainable, and recycled materials while decreasing overall solid waste; project a positive influence on our supply chain, and create employee and community awareness and participation in environmental issues.