Fiberon shows how EPDs are transforming the way companies approach their decarbonization efforts.
Decarbonization is in full swing, with companies throughout the building industry taking significant action to decarbonize across their entire value chain. From innovating low-carbon products and optimizing manufacturing processes to embracing renewable energy, the push toward net-zero is accelerating at an unprecedented pace.
Amid these efforts, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are becoming an increasingly important tool, helping companies track, measure, and adjust their decarbonization strategies with greater precision.
Sara Gutterman, CEO of Green Builder Media, sat down with Kate Haws, Director of Brand Marketing at Fiberon, to congratulate Fiberon on being named a 2024 Eco-Leader and talk about the impact EPDs have had on their brand, their customers, and their sustainability goals.
“We started our journey back in 2021, setting a goal to reduce our carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and to offset 50% of our electrical usage with renewable resources,” says Haws. “Fiberon is constantly looking at the small changes we can make that will have a big impact,” citing energy-efficient lighting, solar panel installations, and equipment upgrades as key components of their carbon mitigation strategy.
According to Haws, pursuing EPDs has played a critical role in tracking and communicating progress toward those goals.
“EPDs really help to identify the value of the composite and plastic materials in our decking,” she explains. “Most of our products contain at least 94% mixed recycled wood fiber and plastic content. Our recycled wood comes from sawdust and leftover materials that would typically be discarded, and the plastic we use is mostly post-consumer—things like grocery bags—or post-industrial packaging materials.”
How do they know this? EPDs! Third-party verified EPDs confirm the company’s claims and show customers that their sustainability story is genuine.
In a world full of uncertainty and greenwashing, EPDs have become the new standard for earning consumer trust. Recent COGNITION data reveals that over 60% of builders are seeing increased demand for products with EPDs from consumers, while another 20% note that although consumers may not specifically ask for EPDs, they are actively seeking certifications and information to verify sustainability claims.
What was once considered a "nice-to-have" is now a "must-have." Just look at Fiberon. They’re demonstrating how EPDs can not only drive consumer preference for low-carbon alternatives but also accelerate decarbonization efforts.
Victoria Muharsky is an ESG specialist at Green Builder Media, where she leads the ESG for Building Working Group. Under her guidance, the group has successfully overseen the release of the groundbreaking ESG Defining Principles. Crafted collaboratively by industry experts, these guidelines are revolutionizing the homebuilding sector's approach to ESG and sustainability.
EPDs at the Core of Fiberon’s Decarbonization Strategy
Fiberon shows how EPDs are transforming the way companies approach their decarbonization efforts.
Decarbonization is in full swing, with companies throughout the building industry taking significant action to decarbonize across their entire value chain. From innovating low-carbon products and optimizing manufacturing processes to embracing renewable energy, the push toward net-zero is accelerating at an unprecedented pace.
Amid these efforts, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are becoming an increasingly important tool, helping companies track, measure, and adjust their decarbonization strategies with greater precision.
Fiberon is one such company. Having fully embraced EPDs, with all seven decking and cladding product lines backed by EPD documentation, Fiberon was selected by Green Builder Media’s editorial team as a 2024 Eco-Leader.
Sara Gutterman, CEO of Green Builder Media, sat down with Kate Haws, Director of Brand Marketing at Fiberon, to congratulate Fiberon on being named a 2024 Eco-Leader and talk about the impact EPDs have had on their brand, their customers, and their sustainability goals.
“We started our journey back in 2021, setting a goal to reduce our carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and to offset 50% of our electrical usage with renewable resources,” says Haws. “Fiberon is constantly looking at the small changes we can make that will have a big impact,” citing energy-efficient lighting, solar panel installations, and equipment upgrades as key components of their carbon mitigation strategy.
According to Haws, pursuing EPDs has played a critical role in tracking and communicating progress toward those goals.
“EPDs really help to identify the value of the composite and plastic materials in our decking,” she explains. “Most of our products contain at least 94% mixed recycled wood fiber and plastic content. Our recycled wood comes from sawdust and leftover materials that would typically be discarded, and the plastic we use is mostly post-consumer—things like grocery bags—or post-industrial packaging materials.”
Fun fact: Fiberon repurposes 100 million pounds of plastic waste into its products each year, helping save over 1 million trees from being cut down.
How do they know this? EPDs! Third-party verified EPDs confirm the company’s claims and show customers that their sustainability story is genuine.
In a world full of uncertainty and greenwashing, EPDs have become the new standard for earning consumer trust. Recent COGNITION data reveals that over 60% of builders are seeing increased demand for products with EPDs from consumers, while another 20% note that although consumers may not specifically ask for EPDs, they are actively seeking certifications and information to verify sustainability claims.
What was once considered a "nice-to-have" is now a "must-have." Just look at Fiberon. They’re demonstrating how EPDs can not only drive consumer preference for low-carbon alternatives but also accelerate decarbonization efforts.
You can learn more about Fiberon’s decarbonization journey by watching the full video.
By Victoria Muharsky
Victoria Muharsky is an ESG specialist at Green Builder Media, where she leads the ESG for Building Working Group. Under her guidance, the group has successfully overseen the release of the groundbreaking ESG Defining Principles. Crafted collaboratively by industry experts, these guidelines are revolutionizing the homebuilding sector's approach to ESG and sustainability.Also Read