Sustainability

Sustainability Introduction

Matisse International is proud to support the development and progress of sustainable business practices in New Zealand, and take pride in the positive environmental impact our products have throughout their manufacture, distribution, operation, maintenance and disposal process.
We are continually committed to providing New Zealander’s with leading furnishings that comply with the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability.

Matisse International Environmental Vision

Matisse International Furniture is committed to achieving excellence in all our environmental practices. The commitment to developing sustainable business practices is reflected in our environmental value to; “seek environmental improvements in all aspects of our business – we seek energy efficiency enhancements and waste reduction opportunities across our business”

Objectives

• Create and encourage a culture of sustainability within Matisse
• Provide a framework that will encourage the use of products and processes by Matisse that result in less damage to the environment
• Lead by example to businesses, the industry and the community in promoting the use of environmentally friendly goods and services
• Implement environmental purchasing guidelines as far as reasonably practicable within available financial resources/budgets
• Promote and support Matisse’s environmental values and associated waste minimisation and energy reduction policies

Guiding Principals for our office and warehouse

Zero Waste – Matisse strives to minimise waste through the principle of the waste management hierarchy

• Reduce

Purchases shall only be made when required and of the amount needed, purchases that reduce the use of materials/resources will be favoured; for example products that have minimal packaging or printers that print double sided.

• Reuse

Using the same item more than once and extending the useful life of products and equipment via appropriate maintenance, ensure all products are durable, have a long service life and are easy to maintain and upgrade.

• Recycle

Purchase products that are recycled or re-manufactured or contain recycled materials, or that can be recycled or re-manufactured.

Zero Climate Change

Purchase energy efficient products with the best energy rating available for the price, in addition to the operational energy performance, consider the energy requirements of a product during its production, transportation and eventual disposal. Reduce reliance on fossil fuels and purchase alternative, less greenhouse gas intensive fuels.

Zero Habitat Destruction and Loss of Biodiversity

Purchase paper and wood products obtained from recycled, plantation, salvaged or renewable resources.
Avoid the purchase of products that cause significant damage to the environment during manufacture, use, storage or disposal. Purchase materials and products that are free of toxic or polluting materials in their manufacture, use, and disposal.

Additional Initiatives

• Gold NZ Green Building Council Sponsor
• Matisse is an active and strong supporter of the Sustainable Business Network. One of the first to pilot the SBN Model.
• Host of on-going knowledge sessions pertaining to: Green Buildings, Sustainable Procurement, Environmentally Designed Furniture, Workplace Strategy Models to Reduce Environmental Impact, etc.

Future Developments – SBN “GET SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMME”

Matisse is among the first businesses to undertake the Get Sustainable programme designed by SBN (Sustainable Business Network)

Get Sustainable is a NEW programme that provides a simple, results focused way for organisations to start out on the path to sustainability. With the help of the Sustainable Business Network, businesses are supported to take part in the 12 month challenge.

Through an assessment and measurement process two sustainability focus areas, one environmental and one social will be chosen as a starting point:

The Environmental focus areas are:
• Waste
• Energy
• Transport
• Paper/ Print/ office

The Social focus areas are:
• Healthy Workplaces
• Community Involvement
• Values and Culture
• Equal Employment Opportunities

THE PROCESS will involve:

1. ASSESSMENT of current performance
2. ACTION to implement change
3. IMPROVE & MEASURE progress
4. AWARDS/CELEBRATE

Helping your office interior become more sustainable through leasing

Flexibility and convenience are two of the benefits most frequently cited about leasing. As your business grows your needs change, and leasing allows you to add or upgrade furniture at any point during your lease term. This also enables a furniture re-fresh so you can have the right furniture for you affordably, which is especially important in rapidly changing office environments.

The ease of furniture disposition is another benefit of leasing that cannot be underestimated. The costs of removal, environmental fees (in the case of some types of furniture), and re-selling, which under the terms of outright ownership can be significant, are avoided. When you no longer require your office furnishings, they will be reused, refurbished, or recycled, not left for the landfill.

Find out how we can help your business customize a leasing program that will address the needs and requirements perfectly suited to your business’s budget, and cyclical fluctuations.

Furnishings that lack in quality production, and materials, fail to last, and become too expensive to refurbish, therefore often ending up in a landfill.

Our on-going commitment to product durability, innovation, and longevity means we only deal with the world’s leading furniture manufacturers who utilise the finest raw materials, outstanding innovative design and ecologically sensitive processes.
Factories are scrutinised not only for their best in class manufacturing practices but also their commitment to the environment and the innovative use of raw materials.

Products must be designed to last decades, not years and provide inspiration and enjoyment over generations. To do this, they must be built to last, utilise sustainable resources, and become an investment, not just a luxury.
As proof, one need only consider our many ‘classic’ designs, such as the Eames Lounger which has just celebrated its 50th year of continuous production, and is still considered among the most significant and collectible furniture designs of the 20th century.

One of the best ways to protect our environment is through choosing products that are manufactured in an environmentally friendly way, and are developed from recycled materials, with easy recycling at the end of a products useful life.

At Matisse, our goal is to help create great places to work and live, while also respecting and protecting our natural environment, therefore our ongoing commitment to corporate sustainability naturally includes minimising the environmental impact of each of our products.
We deal with suppliers such as Herman Miller, and B&B Italia that are recognised as industry leaders in environmentally responsible product design and manufacturing.

Our continuing efforts to advocate for and protect the environment have resulted in an array of quality furniture and programs that link us with customers who also share our passion for treating the natural environment with respect.
Offering environmentally friendly and recyclable furnishings extends beyond a single token product to incorporate a comprehensive, holistic approach.
So when one of our products are at the end of its useful life, don’t throw it out, give it back to us and we’ll refurbish, reuse, or recycle it.

Purchasing furniture that takes into consideration non-obsolescence means being able to future proof your interior.

Too often, businesses are making important buying decisions based on initial price. While this definitely ensures savings in the short-term, the useful life span of the equipment may not be sufficient to adapt or meet the future requirements of long-term business needs. When making a strategic furnishing decision, the longevity, redundancy, and potential life-cycle of equipment should also be considered.
Office furniture such as the Resolve system have been designed and continually updated to ensure that it meets the changing needs of a workspace, can incorporate new materials, and is interchangeable to accommodate changing task and staff requirements.
Matisse is committed to the principle that all our furniture serves client’s long-term facility strategies, therefore all our furniture systems cannot be rendered obsolete due to its inability to evolve. Once our systems reach the end of their useful life, we can refresh, refurbish, or recycle them.