Taking Responsibility: Our Commitment to Sustainability

At Watson, we believe in leaving the earth better than how we found it. We do so by manufacturing quality products from locally sourced and recycled material. This ‘do better’ ethos is embedded in our culture, built into our furniture, and we’re committed to actively ensuring we do our part to improve the health of our planet for generations to come.

Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

Taking responsibility means we take measurable action at each step of the manufacturing process to contribute to a healthier planet. We are continuously reevaluating our materials, designs, and builds to produce better outcomes for the planet and aim to recycle as much of our waste as possible.

In fact, reducing the amount of raw material wasted in the manufacturing process is a high priority for Watson, and recent advancements in tooling and expansion have allowed us to take big steps in the right direction.

Materials Matter

It all starts with the materials we use to manufacture our furniture. We prioritize American-made components that are recycled and recyclable, that don’t emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are more durable, and will last. We monitor how the materials landscape is evolving and are constantly searching for ways to improve what we use to build our furniture.

We have carefully selected materials that are environmentally sustainable while achieving a timeless aesthetic:

PVC-Free Edge Banding

The care we take in selecting edge banding for our furniture isn’t only about its stylish appearance, it is made from environmentally friendly polypropylene, which is 100% PVC-free

Laminate

We use PVA adhesives to eliminate the hazards and waste related to solvent-based contact adhesives. Our GREENGUARD-certified laminates have 22% recycled content and are made of phenolic resin, melamine resin, and kraft paper.

Forbo Linoleum

As an alternative to standard plastic-impregnated laminates, we offer a biodegradable surface finish made from linseed oil, natural pine rosin, wood flour, and color pigments.

Wood

Sourcing locally and shrinking our carbon footprint is a big deal, so we purchase MDF and particle board from next-door neighbor, Oregon. The NAF (no added formaldehyde) substrate used in our desks and storage components are composed of about 95% recycled industrial byproduct, which cuts down on the need for harvested lumber.

Textiles

With color options to complement any brand identity, our privacy and pin mobile screens are upholstered in 100% recycled polyester fabric made from reclaimed plastic bottles.

Steel

The steel used in all our products is composed of both post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content and purchased from U.S. manufacturers. Our steel is 100% recyclable and is composed of approximately 24% recycled material.

Adhesive

Our bond with the natural world is as strong as the bonding agents used for our products: water-based and emitting little to no VOCs.

Manufacturing Facilities and Processes

Powder Coating Line

Powder coating doesn’t rely on solvents to adhere to a surface. This is unlike wet painting techniques, which use solvents to assist in the curing process. These chemicals can emit hazardous air pollutants and VOCs that not only harm the environment but can be dangerous to the individuals working with them. In 2020, we installed a new automated powder coating booth, which reclaims and recycles any excess powder, creating almost no waste through the process.

Metal Processing

We use a no-discharge metal wash process that relies on reclaimed, filtered, and recycled water. This significantly reduces our water usage compared to standard continuous-flow dip tanks and enables us to go from using approximately 2,000 gallons of water a week to 2,000 gallons every 6 months. This amounts to about 100,000 gallons saved each year.

Septic System

We use a septic system instead of the municipal sewer system used by most manufacturers. By not flushing waste off to the regional treatment facility it gives us a different perspective on what can go down the drain, because it all returns to the local water tables.

Landscape Maintenance

To mitigate runoff and maintain a healthy watershed, we actively protect the wetlands surrounding our facility—affectionately called The Orchard—we don’t water or fertilize the acreage surrounding our building. Instead, we field-mow the groundcover only twice a year and add mulch to retain moisture and feed the soil.

A Planet for Thriving, not just Surviving

Our manufacturing plant sits on a 33-acre-plot with a mile-long trail that wends around it. It's surrounded by a dense conifer forest, meadow grass, and hosts dozens of fruit trees, native plants, and flowers on the property. It's a paradise. We don’t follow environmental best practices because we have to. We do it because it’s the right thing to do and we want to protect the land we inhabit and the people we are privileged to employ and serve. It really is that simple.

Check out our environmental page, where you can find more resources like our product recycling guide and other downloadable references about our sustainability policy and efforts:

Environmental