Tualatin, OR (January, 2006) — Environmental stalwart Hartmann & Forbes has launched its Take-Back™ initiative in which it will collect its used shades from consumers and recycle them at a Portland, Oregon recycling facility. The first program of it its kind in the industry, it is the final step in Hartmann & Forbes' closed-loop manufacturing process.
"We're excited to be the first company in the industry to develop this program," said founder Michael Jones. "With this program, Hartmann & Forbes offers a complete cradle-to-cradle product life cycle."
A relatively new player in the window coverings business, Hartmann & Forbes has spent its first seven years focused on environmental initiatives as well as product development. "It's somewhat frustrating to think that we're the first company in the business to offer a take-back program given the size of the industry," says Jones. He added that if the entire industry adopted similar take-back programs, and if consumers used them to their fullest capacity, the industry would keep an estimated 104,000 tons of material out of landfills in the U.S. alone. That is the equivalent to the weight of nearly 600 Boeing 747 aircraft. "We're a small company, but our influence on the environment can still be significant if it starts a change in both manufacturer and consumer behavior. Imagine if the volume leaders of the window coverings industry started down this path. The positive impact on the environment would be enormous," said Jones.
Finalization of the Take-Back initiative means Hartmann & Forbes' window coverings will travel from cradle to cradle during their life cycle. Natural, organic materials such as bamboos, grasses, jutes and river reeds are grown and harvested exclusively from well-managed, sustainable eco-systems. To obtain their unique and rich color ways, many of these organic fibers are either harvested after being naturally seasoned in the sun to specific colors, or are organically cured using ancient techniques. The fibers are woven using a hand loom, and then handcrafted into custom window coverings in Hartmann & Forbes' Pacific Northwest finishing facility. In the end, consumers can send back unneeded shades so the window coverings can be disassembled and recycled in a manner that is equally respectful of the environment. Hartmann & Forbes will even accept its competitors' natural shades, to ensure they too are recycled.
Jones is personally committed to Hartmann & Forbes becoming a corporate leader in environmental responsibility - a nod to his Portland roots. "Growing up in Oregon means that caring about the environment isn't just a good idea, it is a way of life," says Jones. "A lot of firms strive only to meet benchmarks, but we understand the importance of constant evolution to remaining an eco-friendly company. That's what Project-Green is all about: ensuring we strive to do more."
Project-Green™
Already an industry leader in environmental sustainability, Hartmann & Forbes launched Project-Green™ in the spring of 2005 in an effort to broadly expand the company's aggressive environmental policies and procedures. As a part of Project-Green, Hartmann & Forbes is working with the University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business to further improve its innovative, environmentally sensitive stream of production. In addition to the company's Take-Back initiative, Hartmann & Forbes launched 14 new organic weaves specifically designed with environmental sustainability in mind under Project-Green™.
Company Background
Hartmann & Forbes is an independent company dedicated to preserving ancient handcrafting traditions through modern and innovative designs. The company specializes in fine, hand-woven roman shades, bamboo cornices, the industry's only hand-woven draperies and its exclusive PanelScreen™. Founded in 1998 by company founder Michael Jones, Hartmann & Forbes prides itself on superior craftsmanship, design integrity and the preservation of natural resources. Hartmann & Forbes window coverings are available through an impressive network of high-end showrooms in most major U.S. cities and Canada. The company's website can be found at www.hfshades.com.
