Tepperman’s receives corporate environmental achievement award

WINDSOR, Ontario – Regional furniture retail powerhouse Tepperman’s was the recipient of the Essex Region Conservation Authority’s (ERCA) Corporate Environmental Achievement Award in recognition of its ‘Live for Tomorrow’ sustainability plan and achievements in waste reduction, energy consumption, recycling solutions and a shared environmental ethic with staff, suppliers and partners.

The award was presented at the authority’s annual general meeting last week. The retailer was one of eight local individuals and organisations honoured for their environment efforts.

For more than 40 years, ERCA has been sustaining and enriching the environment of the Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island region to ensure it is the Place for Life. Since its founding, natural area cover across that part of south-western Ontario has grown from 3.5% to more than 8.5%. Some 5,000 homes are now protected from flooding and erosion while over six million trees have been planted; over 10,000 acres of natural areas restored, and more than 350,000 students have experienced outdoor education.

The award recognises businesses that are developing growth models that lead to better use of resources, nurture healthy ecosystems and run programs that have enhanced the region’s renewable natural resources (water, soil, flora and fauna).

Tepperman’s was praised for its work in the area of resource efficiency and emissions reduction, both in-house and along its supply chain; particularly highlighting the efforts it has made in reducing waste, partnership with schools on environmental programs and the overall efforts in becoming energy self-sufficient.

The company was also recognised for the accolades it has received in the last year, including the 2018 Impact Innovation Award and its contributions and support for environmental and community outreach programs.

“We have a ten-year vision related to sustainability, including specific measurement goals like diverting 100% of our waste from landfills by the year 2025,” Andrew Tepperman, the third-generation president of the family owned-and-operated full-line furniture retailer, said in a statement. “It is one of our company’s six Guiding Principles and is more about making an actual impact than just the optics. Receiving this type of recognition from ERCA, an organisation that we have tremendous respect for, supports our environmental strategy as well as inspires our teams to want to do more!”

“In the last few years, Tepperman’s has made exciting progress as an environmentally sustainable business,” added vice president and chief operating officer Masoud Negad. “We have reduced our energy consumption, diverted 85% of our materials from landfills, and promoted recycling of all waste materials – all with the goal to become a sustainability leader in our community.”

“Moving forward, we are focusing on alternate sources of energy for our facilities, moving towards heavier dependence on digital documents, and have introduced electric car charging stations at all our locations. We believe in making a difference and we’re always looking for innovative ways to sustain our earth’s resources for future generations,” he continued.

Headquartered at its outlet here, Tepperman’s operates four other large-format retail stores across Southwestern Ontario, including London, Chatham, Kitchener and Sarnia.

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