London Chamber awards Tepperman’s for sustainability

8 October 2020 HGO Staff

LONDON, Ontario – Tepperman’s has been recognized by the London Chamber of Commerce with its Corporate Social Responsibility Award for their efforts to operate in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner.

Held late last month and hailed as the ‘Academy Awards’ of business achievement in this southwestern Ontario city, the chamber’s annual Business Achievement Awards gala showcases and celebrates outstanding local businesses and is the largest program of its kind in Canada.

“Sustainability is one of our core principles, so it’s a great honour to be recognized for this,” Andrew Tepperman, president of the Windsor-based furniture, mattress and major retailer said in a statement. “We are committed to creating a healthier future for our environment and our communities through sustainable business practices, and we are taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize waste brought to landfills.”

From materials and energy use, to design, hazardous materials reduction, and social responsibility, Tepperman’s has set guidelines and goals to ensure its own energy self-sufficiency. Some of the actions made in the drive to become a zero waste and socially responsible business include:

reducing its energy consumption by 20% by 2025;
Work towards diverting 100% of waste from landfills with 401 tonnes of materials being recycled annually;
implementing a full energy management system and audit;
providing customers with courtesy electric car charging stations in every location;
collaborating with local charities to receive unwanted furniture from customers thus extending products’ lifecycle;
allocating discarded mattresses to a factory that recycles over 90% of raw materials.

Other sustainable actions include the recent installation of a pollinator-friendly garden in London, which will consist of 20 flower species and five grasses native to Ontario. These native plants help pollinating insects and birds that are native to southwestern Ontario and are chosen to ensure there are blooming plants from spring to fall, providing a consistent source of food for important pollinators.

Related Story: Tepperman’s – Finding a green ROI