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Click
here to download a pdf version of the environmental statement
Contemporary Leathers is dedicated to providing the market with the most comprehensive and highest qualityrange of natural upholstery leathers and to environmental protection.
The tanneries represented in the Contemporary Leathers collection are at the leading edge of technologicalinnovation. These tanneries are carefully chosen for the quality of their products and their commitment to the environment.
Located in Sweden, France, Germany, Spain and New Zealand, the tanneries source only the highest quality raw hides available and produce in accordance to strict environmental legislation. All tanneries haveintegrated further environmental considerations during manufacture including energy and water conservation measures, reducing waste and wastewater treatment plants.
Contemporary Leathers offers ELMOSOFT chrome-free leathers, a collection with the highest standard of quality, natural beauty and environmental responsibility.
ELMOSOFT leathers are produced by the World's Best Practice tannery ELMO, who operates a progressive environmental management system certified to ISO 14001. The production of ELMOSOFT is free of toxic substances such as chromium, PCP, AOX and only water-based dyes and finishes are used. ELMO is at the forefront of technology, winning an EU LIFE Environmental Award for its new wastewater treatment plant. ELMO’s innovative technology, achieves a significant reduction in nitrogen of 89% (current technologiesachieve about 30% reduction).
ELMOSOFT leathers are third-party certified as the optimum in environmental responsibility by the Lederinstitut Gerberschule Reutlingen, the world's leading Training, Testing and Research Centre for leather.
Contemporary Leathers has an Environmental Manager whose role involves:
• assessing the impact of all our leather products using the lifecycle approach, which is now a standard
procedure for all new product developments, and
• implementing initiatives within our office and warehouse operations.
Environmental information is included in each product technical specification in the Contemporary Leathers collection. Contemporary Leathers follows the ISO 14021 standard for Environmental labels and declarationsto ensure our information is accurate and not misleading.
As a founding member of the Commercial Leather Association of Australia and New Zealand (CLA), all Contemporary Leathers products have been tested and meet the relevant performance standards outlined bythe CLA.
Contemporary Leathers aims to not only comply with environmental legislation but to continually seek ways to improve our internal and external business activities to ensure greater protection of the environment.
Contemporary Leathers has implemented numerous initiatives to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle including:
• Reduce energy usage by using energy saving modes on computers, turning computers off
at the end of the day and through lighting controls
• Use of recycled content stationery such as paper (100%) and envelopes (80%)
• Use of eco packaging which contains 85% recycled content and is recyclable
• Re-use of paper internally
• Waste such as LDPE packaging waste, paper, cardboard, food & drink containers, toner cartridges
and leather offcuts/samples are recycled.
For more information on Contemporary Leathers’ environmental initiatives, please refer to Contemporary Leathers’ Sustainability Report at below.
Click here
to download a PDF version of the Sustainability Report
MANAGING DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
We are proud to release Contemporary Leathers’ first Sustainability Report for the year 2005. Since 2003 we have introduced many environmental initiatives within our products, office and
warehouse operations.
This report, compiled by our Environmental Manager, includes; our initiatives to date; our
current performance measures and our commitment to continually improve targets.
Some of our achievements include:
•
Increasing our office environmental performance from an average to excellent rating (as
measured by a University of New South Wales Green Office Rating Questionnaire) at the
beginning of 2003. This meant our office had minimal impact on the environment
compared with the average office.
•
Identifying the impact of our product processes using the life cycle approach, which is now
a standard procedure for all new product developments. Environmental information is now
included with each leather Product Specification. Contemporary Leathers prides itself on
providing accurate and not misleading claims, following the ISO 14021 standard for
Environmental labels and declarations.
These achievements would not be possible without the support from our staff, customers and
suppliers and we look forward to working together to continually seek ways to improve our
internal and external business activities to ensure greater protection of our society and
environment.
David Gourlay
Managing Director
REPORT PROFILE
Mission Statement “Leading our industry”
Our Company
Contemporary Leathers is
dedicated to providing the
International market with the
most comprehensive and
highest quality range of natural
leathers for upholstery.
Contemporary Leathers was
established in July 2001 as a
joint venture between David
Gourlay and Instyle Contract
Textiles.
Contemporary Leathers has
established offices or agents in
all capital cities of Australia,
New Zealand, Dubai and Hong
Kong.
Scope
This is Contemporary Leathers
first Sustainability Report and
covers our environmental and
social performance for the 12
month period from 01 January
2005 to 31 December 2005.
The information is reported on
qualitatively although indicators
of paper, energy, water usage
and waste are reported
quantitatively.
The environment section
covers the operations at
Contemporary Leathers’ Head
Office in Mascot, Sydney
consisting of an office and
warehouse with 3 staff whilst
the social section is inclusive of
the entire company.
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
1. PAPER USAGE
Initiatives
• Reduce document sizes for eg. price list from 7
to 5 pages, product descriptions from A4 to A5
• Double sided printing where possible
• Use of electronic communication where possible
• Reuse of paper for internal use
• Use of 100% recycled & chlorine free bleached paper & 80% recycled content envelopes
Current Measures
• Recycled paper 9.9 reams per person
• Virgin paper 3.1 reams per person
• Total paper 13 reams per person (this figure does not include pre printedpossible stationery)
Targets
• Reduce paper usage by 10% (To 11.7 reams per person per year)
2. WASTE MANAGEMENT
Initiatives
• Recycling systems were introduced at the
beginning of 2003 for paper, cardboard, plastic,
food & drink containers, toner cartridges,
leather samples & pallets.
• A compactor was introduced in 2005 to bale
plastic waste. This results in reduced
transportation impact as there are fewer pick
ups.
• Other waste including leather offcuts and
discontinued sampling is sent on an ad hoc
basis to a local community reuse organisation,
Reverse Garbage.
Current Measures
Recycling
• Paper & cardboard 8.8 tonnes
• Food & drink containers 70 kg
• Plastic packaging 16.8 bales
• Resources saved from paper & cardboard recycling include 51 trees, 9.8 barrels of oil, 16.1 MW of electricity,
15.5m³ of landfill and 124.7 kilolitres of
water for the year.
• Waste to landfill 2.6 tonnes
Targets
• Reduce waste to landfill by 10%
3. WATER USAGE
Initiatives
• Installation of dual flush toilets
• Water saving ideas are regularly communicated to staff
Current Measures
• Water usage 54.5 kilolitres
Targets
• Reduce water usage by 10%
4. ENERGY USAGE
Initiatives
• Office have individual light switches / lights are
switched off when not in use
• Use of energy saving mode on computer
monitors / Switch off computers at days end
Current Measures
• Electricity usage 38 MWh
• GHG Emissions 38 tonnes
5. PACKAGING
Our leather hides are transported to customers on cardboard cores and
wrapped in post industrial recycled LDPE plastic
Initiatives
• Redesigned transport packaging in early 2005 to use less material (thickness reduced by over 15%) and contain recycled content (85%
post-industrial content). This is defined as ‘eco packaging’ by
ecospecifier (Australian database of eco preferred materials).
• Cores are made with recycled cardboard
6. OFFICE PRODUCTS
Initiatives
No longer purchase disposable plates, cups and cutlery
Procurement of environmental preferable products such as:
• 100% recycled content paper
•
80% recycled content envelopes
•
Earth Choice dishwash detergent is biodegradable, phosphate-free, with recycled packaging & made in Australia.
•
Toilet paper, Notebooks and Post it Notes are made with recycled content
•
Pencils produced from recycled newsprint, a unique process that
does not use any wood
•
Ballpoint pens produced from non bleached paper containing no
plastic material in the barrels or caps. 95% of the pen is
biodegradable & packaging is made from recycled paper
•
Permanent markers and highlighters are manufactured using
recycled paper and polypropylene, with a saving of over 60% plastic
compared to conventional markers. The ink is 100% Consumer and
Environment Safe alcohol based. Awarded with the Nordic Swan
Eco Label.
7. COMMUNICATION
Initiatives
• E-cards or postcards are used for promotion purposes to reduce
unnecessary paper waste. In 2005 Christmas cards were sent by email.
With the money saved from cards and postage, Contemporary Leathers
donated money to Greenpeace and Planet Ark.
• Stationery and sampling cards are made from 100% ecf FSC certified
and managed plantation wood pulp paper
8. PRODUCTS
Initiatives
Contemporary Leathers sources from tanneries that are committed to the environment. Our tanneries source only
the highest quality locally available raw hides from Scandinavia, Europe and New Zealand and produce the hides
in accordance to strict environmental legislation.
All tanneries have integrated further environmental considerations during manufacture including energy and water conservation measures, reducing waste and wastewater treatment plants.
One of our largest suppliers, Elmo has an environmental management system certified with ISO14001 since 2001.
Elmo continually reduces its environmental impact and has invested in a new treatment plant that reduces nitrogen emissions in wastewater by 80%, traditional wastewater treatment in the tanning industry cuts nitrogen
emissions by around 30%. Elmo’s Environment Report is available through Contemporary Leathers.
Environmental Information System
After assessing the impact of each leather process using the lifecycle approach, Contemporary Leathers identified
ten criteria to communicate the environmental benefits of each product. Environmental benefits can include an
environmentally-improved production process or produced at an ISO 14001 tannery. The Environmental
Information System is available with each product specification.
9. GOING BEYOND
Initiatives
Staff use personal mugs when buying coffee from outside vendors to avoid using disposable cups
To promote ecological values, ECO TIPS are included in internal & external emails. This assists employees and
others to be environmentally conscious in all aspects of life
Targets
Contemporary Leathers has signed up with GREENFLEET for 2006. GREENFLEET plant and maintain native
trees that will offset the greenhouse emissions generated by our fleet of cars.
10. OUR PEOPLE
We have a great team at Contemporary Leathers and our success is based on teamwork. Our
team is diverse ranging in age, gender, ethnic background and education.
11. OUR CUSTOMERS
Contemporary Leathers’ customers include architects, interior and furniture designers and
furniture manufacturers. Contemporary Leathers has a customer-oriented approach and
operates with customers in a manner to promote integrity, trust and mutual respect.
12. OUR SUPPLIERS
We have established and maintained excellent relationships with our tanneries. Our tanneries
are located in Sweden, France, Germany, Spain and New Zealand and are at the leading edge
of technological innovation. These tanneries are carefully chosen for the quality of their
products, their service and their commitment to the environment.
13. PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Contemporary Leathers is a founding member of the Commercial Leather Association of
Australia and New Zealand (CLA). The CLA has been established to provide its customers
with updated and relevant industry standards and information that will benefit in the
understanding and use of commercial and high-end residential leathers. For information on the
CLA please visit our website.
14. GIFTS
We receive numerous requests for sponsorship, donations, reduced fees and presentations.
Contemporary Leathers is committed to assisting students with practical industry knowledge.
Initiatives
Donations to student design awards and helping to promote young furniture designers
Contemporary Leathers delivers educational presentations to university students on leather
and the environment.
15. TARGETS
Investigate the possible involvement in community / environmental projects
FEEDBACK
To assist us in improving our first Sustainability Report and our service to you, your feedback is invaluable. What is your overall impression of the report? Are there any important issues missing? Was the information useful and did it meet your expectations? How can the presentation of data and performance be improved?
Please direct feedback to tmak@instyle.com.au.
Prepared by
Tracy Mak BSc (Textile Design & Tech) Hon
Environmental Manager
Click here
to download a PDF version of the Sustainability Report
Contemporary Leathers has identified a set of ten criteria to communicate the environmental benefits of each leather hide. The environmental benefits are included with each leather hide product specification.
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Rapidly-renewable / Agricultural by-product – Leather hides are rapidly-renewable as the resource is renewed
within a short period of time. Leather hides are a by-product from the food industry. |
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| 2. |
EARTHSAFE™ (Sustainable + Accredited For the Environment) : EARTHSAFE™ leathers are a collection with
the highest standard of quality, natural beauty and environmental responsibility.
Only the best hides local to the tannery are sourced, ensuring less need for processing and chemicals.
EARTHSAFE™ leathers are produced by World's Best Practice tanneries, operating progressive environmental
management systems certified to ISO 14001. The production is free of toxic substances such as chromium, PCP,
AOX and only water-based dyes and finishes are used. The tanneries are at the forefront of technology, able to
reduce nitrogen emissions by 80%, compared to the typical 30% reduction by conventional wastewater treatment
plants.
EARTHSAFE™ leathers are recognised as the optimum in environmental responsibility by the Lederinstitut Gerberschule Reutlingen, the world's leading Training, Testing and Research Centre for leather.
EARTHSAFE™ leathers are durable and have met or exceeded the performance guidelines of the Commercial Leather Association of Australia and New Zealand (CLA).
As a natural product with minimal chemical input, EARTHSAFE™ leathers do not negatively affect indoor air quality. EARTHSAFE™ leathers are reusable, recyclable and fully biodegradable. |
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Environmentally Improved Production Process - Tanneries can reduce their impact on the environment through
energy and water conservation measures, equipment efficiency, energy and water source and use of non-hazardous substances. Conservation measures include energy and water awareness, management programs, recovery and
reuse of heat energy and water, maintenance of equipment and use of skylights. Renewable energy is a cleaner
energy source than coal and gas. Renewable energy sources include solar power, wind energy and hydropower. Non-
potable water is water such as bore and rain water that is not treated to drinking water standard and is not meant for
human consumption. Production can also be free of hazardous substances such as pentachlorophenol (PCP),
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), formaldehyde, benzidine, hexavalent chromium, cadmium and chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs). |
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Low-emitting product – Natural products such as leather hides are low in volatile organic compound (VOC)
emissions. Low emitters of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be further identified if the product has been tested
in a dynamic environmental chamber to meet scientifically established standards. |
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Reusable / Recyclable – Uncontaminated leather hides are reusable and recyclable. |
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Biodegradable – The ability of a substance to decompose or breakdown through the action of micro-organisms (e.g.
bacteria) or physical processes (e.g. sunlight). EARTHSAFE™ leathers are fully biodegradable. |
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Tannery operates an Environmental Management System – An environmental management system (EMS)
provides a systematic and structured approach to managing environmental policy. The implementation of an EMS
provides the framework to achieve the environmental policy. An EMS can be certified to a standard such as ISO
14001 or EMAS. |
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Tannery has Environmental Policy – An environmental policy is a statement of a tannery’s intentions and principles
in relation to its overall environmental performance. |
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Eco-Label - A third party seal or logo indicating that the product has met a set of environmental or social standards. |
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Tannery operates a Quality Management System – The tannery operates a quality management system (QMS). A
focus on quality means less waste. Waste can be in the form of processes, what is not done right the first time, an
incorrect invoice, a defective product, a misdirected shipment etc. A commitment to quality can positively impact the
environment. A QMS can be certified to a standard such as ISO 9001.
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Contemporary Leathers is committed to reducing their impact on the
environment and recognises that climate change caused by excessive
burning of fossil fuels is a serious problem facing the global community.
Each year the average car in Australia uses 1920 litres of fuel
and emits 4.33 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) greenhouse gas that
contributes to climate change and global warming. Transport is Australia's
major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
In Contemporary Leathers 2005 Sustainability Report, we aimed to
reduce the impact associated with our sales team's car usage. In
joining the Greenfleet* program, Greenfleet plants and maintains
17 native trees that will offset the CO2 emissions for each car
in a year.
Science shows that 17 mixed species will not only absorb CO2 emissions,
they can also address salinity, improve water quality and provide
essential habitat for endangered species.
Contemporary Leathers is proud to become a Greenfleet member and
be part of the solution. *Greenfleet is a non-profit environmental
organisation and a member of the Federal Government's Greenhouse
Challenge program.
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