For Crate and Barrel, green is not a trend – it’s a way of life. Since founders Gordon and Carole Segal opened the first store back in 1962, the company placed an emphasis on operating through a strong set of environmental standards and other social responsibility initiatives when sourcing products around the world. Crate and Barrel’s collection has featured renewable woods and sustainable materials for a number of years. Even so, they’ve continued to develop new methods to improve-upon their environmentally-friendly products and manufacturing processes. For example, without sacrificing the quality or comfort, they’ve taken steps to reduce the use of petroleum-based foam in many of their upholstered cushions; and instead, they’ve begun to source more energy-efficient alternatives such as soy and corn-based foam and fibers. Additionally, most of their upholstered furniture is constructed with suspension systems partially made of recycled steel. Furthermore, all of the bags, boxes, wrap, and padding used for shipping are all made from recycled and renewable materials. Moreover, they operate almost all of their stores with low energy lighting systems, they’ve installed HVAC Energy Management Systems in many of their store locations, and their warehouses have sensor lights that illuminate only when in use. Finally, they’ve incorporated a well-organized, successful recycling program at their stores, warehouses, and corporate offices that is working toward zero waste. Crate and Barrel strives for the highest-level of accountability because they want their customers to be confident in the knowledge that they are doing everything possible to deliver quality without compromise on their environmental standards.