Sterling and Six believes that sustainability is not just a design decision but a lifestyle that requires disciplined practice for the sake of future design. The ways in which SAS practices sustainability begin in philosophy, extend all the way through design, manufacturing, management of waste, and rely on experimentation and creative thinking.
Material Sourcing
Sourcing of materials is determined on a project by project basis and always sourced from local distributors.
Lumber
Reclaiming lumber post-consumer is a way in which Sterling and Six reduces its impact on deforestation. Recycled wood lends itself to a certain aesthetic and is not always appropriate for every project. The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) guidelines are the only regulations accepted in LEED construction, and working with the lumber yards that follow these rules is the best way to ensure socially and environmentally responsible methods of sourcing lumber in the United States.
Check out the FSC website for more information - https://us.fsc.org/en-us .
Leather
The industry for sustainable leather sourcing is small, but quickly growing. Products that Sterling and Six are researching and experimenting with include leather made from pineapple leaves, recycled fabric, and "accidental fur and leather". Accidental fur and leather from Peacefur are salvaged from animals hit by cars in the northeastern United States. These innovations are steps in the right direction for creating leathers and fabrics that leave a lower carbon footprint and give each piece a unique story.
Fabric/Upholstery
SAS uses plant-derived fabrics and upholstery materials in an effort to remove livestock agriculture from our supply chain. For cushions, materials like natural latex, wood wool, and burlap are used to achieve different profiles and support, opposed to synthetic foams and plastics which require an unsustainable carbon footprint to produce and dispose of.
finishing
The process of finishing furniture is a place where great strides can be made in the furniture manufacturing industry. Sterling and Six uses readily biodegradable materials like naturally occurring and sustainable resins, oils and waxes. Currently, the most durable clear finishes involve the use of acrylics or polyurethanes. When necessary, SAS applies these finishes in water-based formulas by brushing instead of spraying. Brushing drastically reduces the waste of these low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) finishes, and eliminates the atomization of the particles in the air, ensuring a safe work environment for its employees.
Waste
Sterling and Six recycles 100% of its post-consumer paper, plastic, and metal products.