Sustainability Practices
Common use of the term "sustainability" began with the 1987 publication of the World Commission on Environment and Development report, Our Common Future. Also known as the Brundtland Report, this document defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Florence Corporation is proud to work with design and construction professionals in their efforts to develop a sustainable future. Together, we can create products that will serve us all for years to come.
Below are excerpts from our Sustainability Statement or download a PDF of the full statement.
Built to Last!
Centralized mail delivery helps builders and designers alike address this need by providing a green delivery method that is built to last - with multiple deliveries per stop, less fuel is consumed resulting in lower carbon emissions. Using high gauge aluminum and durable powder coating methods which do not contain VOCs, Florence mailbox products resist weather corrosion and therefore reduce the need for regular replacement. These quality products not only protect resources, but reduce costs due to their extensive product life. If however they have come to the end of their long life, all materials are recoverable for recycling.
Dedicated to Reduce - Reuse - Recycle!
Florence Corporation reduced our factory carbon footprint by implementing advanced process technology in our powder coat ovens and product washing units. These actions were recognized by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) with a Pollution Prevention Award during the 2009 Kansas Environmental Conference.
We also remain dedicated to maintaining a successful recycling program which ensures the appropriate reuse and/or reprocessing of our aluminum, corrugate, powder paint, wood, and steel materials as well as office waste such as paper and toner cartridges. In addition, Florence has a team of committed employees who vigilantly review our systems for continuous improvement and opportunities for reduction in raw materials and/or recycling of used materials.
Committed to American Forests
Florence recently donated 2000 Trees to American Forests, a world leader in planting trees for environmental restoration, a pioneer in the science and practice of urban forestry, and a primary communicator of the benefits of trees and forests.
American Forests (americanforests.org) is the nation's oldest nonprofit citizens' conservation organization. Citizens concerned about the waste and abuse of the nation's forests founded American Forests in 1875. The organization is proud of its historic roots in the development of America's conservation movement and proud of the new approaches the organization has developed to help people improve the environment in the 21st Century. American Forests' Ecosystem Restoration and Maintenance Agenda presents our core values and seeks to build support for our policy goals. These goals focus on assisting communities in planning and implementing tree and forest actions to restore and maintain healthy ecosystems and communities. We also work with community-based forestry partners in both urban and rural areas to help them participate in national forest policy discussions. American Forests seeks to broaden awareness of the interdependence of communities and forests through our policy and communication activities with local partners.
Environmental Practices and Certificates
Every Florence employee is responsible for quality, environmental performance, and continual improvement.
We will operate safely and efficiently, while improving impacts on the environment, to provide our customers:
- excellent products and services
- when they need them
- at competitive prices
Florence Quality and Environmental Commitment Information
ISO 14001:2015 Certificate - June 2024
Florence Quality and Environmental Policy
ISO 14001:2015 specifies requirements for an environmental management system that enables an organization to develop and implement environmental policy and objectives. This policy takes into account legal and other requirements to which the organization subscribes and information about significant environmental aspects. It applies to those environmental aspects that the organization identifies as those which it can control and those which it can influence. It does not itself state specific environmental performance criteria.
ISO 14001:2015 is applicable to any organization that wishes to establish, implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system, to assure itself of conformity with its stated environmental policy, and to demonstrate conformity with ISO 14001:2015 by
- making a self-determination and self-declaration, or
- seeking confirmation of its conformance by parties having an interest in the organization, such as customers, or
- seeking confirmation of its self-declaration by a party external to the organization, or
- seeking certification/registration of its environmental management system by an external organization.
All the requirements in ISO 14001:2015 are intended to be incorporated into any environmental management system. The extent of the application will depend on factors such as the environmental policy of the organization, the nature of its activities, products and services; the location where, and the conditions in which it functions.
The intention of ISO 14001:2015 is to provide a framework for a holistic strategic approach to the organization's environmental policy, plans, and actions. ISO 14001:2015 gives the generic requirements for an environmental management system. The underlying philosophy is that whatever the organization's activity, the requirements of an effective EMS are the same. This has the effect of establishing a common reference for communicating about environmental management issues between organizations and their customers, regulators, the public and other stakeholders.