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UniFor ensures, every day, a commitment to responsible practices towards the environment and the surrounding society. Our mission is to promote sustainable projects and products that drive innovation, preserve resources, and improve management processes to reduce our impact on climate change. We actively engage in conscious practices related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations.
OUR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
UniFor is committed to contributing to the achievement of the set Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs*) through concrete and sustainable actions.
We focus on several goals, including reducing the environmental impact of our activities, promoting responsible management of natural resources, supporting equality and inclusion, promoting quality education, and ensuring access to clean energy. We firmly believe that our integrated, collaborative, and long-term approach is the key to achieving these objectives.
ENERGY UTILIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
Consistent with UniFor's policy of containment and rationalization of energy consumption:
An active and precise monitoring of energy consumption is carried out through the procedures of the Environmental Management System, certified ISO14001, implemented since 2010.
The facility is equipped with a photovoltaic system that enables the production of sufficient energy to support the lighting and climate control of the offices.
Over the years, industrial inverters have been installed to regulate power and consumption.
The company periodically renews its production machinery fleet, paying particular attention to new technologies that are more energy-efficient.
In order to reduce its impact, UniFor carefully evaluates short, medium, and long-term strategies and solutions, which include a significant increase in self-generated renewable energy in the short term.
UniFor adopts Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as part of its sustainable approach. Through LCA, we carefully evaluate the environmental impact of our products throughout their entire life cycle, starting from the design phase. This allows us to identify areas for improvement and implement sustainable practices, contributing to the reduction of climate impact, environmental protection, and the well-being of the end-user.
By integrating LCA into our decision-making process, we design and optimize the environmental performance of our products, aiming for a reduction in their carbon footprint. We transparently communicate our commitment to sustainability and engage stakeholders in promoting environmentally responsible practices.
LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT MATERIALS
The environmental quality of the product is largely defined by the selection of materials which UniFor pays great attention to. All raw materials and packaging are selected not only for their quality but also for their sustainability features, such as recycled content and end-of-life recyclability.
A careful selection of sustainable materials has a strategic impact on the functionality, aesthetic life, durability, and recyclability of the product, ensuring a low environmental impact.
WOOD
The veneer selected for the wood finishes comes entirely from responsibly managed forests, in compliance with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) guidelines.
The majority of wood components used by UniFor are FSC® certified and can be traced through the certified Chain of Custody ICILA-COC-000296.
The particle boards used contain recycled materials and comply with the TSCA Title VI export protocol in the United States.
ALUMINUM AND STEEL
UniFor utilizes iron and aluminum obtained from reclaimed materials. These materials are extremely durable, 100% recyclable at the end of their life cycle, and can be reused without losing quality and durability. Recycling aluminum allows for saving 95% of the energy required to produce it from raw materials.
GLASS
Glass can be recycled an infinite number of times, 100% of it, without any loss of material. For this reason, recycled glass can replace the original raw material without any loss of quality. The partition systems produced by UniFor are primarily composed of recycled and recyclable glass elements. This same principle applies to furnishings that contain glass components as well.
At UniFor, we have implemented a separate waste collection system to appropriately manage the waste generated from our industrial activities, including manufacturing waste and other byproducts. These waste materials are collected by an authorized disposal company.
Wood waste is 100% recovered and delivered to panel factories. This allows us to reduce the demand for new resources and contribute to the valorization of existing materials.
Paper and cardboard packaging are 100% recovered and delivered to paper mills, where they undergo sorting and processing to ensure proper disposal or recycling.
Metals, delivered to foundries, are 100% recovered. In this case as well, waste is appropriately sorted and subjected to melting processes to be reused in the production of new materials.
Glass, upon arrival at the glassworks, is 100% recovered.
All waste undergoes sorting and processing and is sent for recovery or disposal at appropriate facilities, based on its material nature.
COMPLIANCE WITH HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS (HSE REGULATION)
Thanks to a dedicated internal team and the support of specialized external professionals, UniFor monitors and ensures compliance with current legislation regarding health, safety at work, and the environment. One of the objectives for UniFor is to achieve UNI ISO 45001 certification by the first quarter of 2024.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
UniFor adopts diversity and inclusion policies, promoting a fair and respectful work environment that provides equal opportunities for all employees to grow professionally and personally based on merit and skills.
TRAINING
UniFor places great importance on the training of its employees by offering targeted programs on safety, health, environment, and sustainability. Continuous training is a fundamental part of the company culture, with courses and workshops aimed at the growth and development of its people.
In 2022, UniFor provided over 400 hours of additional training beyond the legally required training, dedicating several sessions to sustainability topics such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), and sustainability protocols for buildings like LEED, BREEAM, and WELL.
UniFor also promotes the exchange of knowledge and mutual learning among team members, creating an environment where acquiring new skills is valued and encouraged.
UniFor firmly believes in engaging its people through active participation in social initiatives that go beyond daily work. We encourage our workers to take part in activities and projects that have a positive impact on our society.
This includes:
Volunteering in community service programs
Participating in charity events
Supporting local initiatives
GOVERNANCE
UniFor adopts a rigorous internal control system and accountability mechanisms to ensure transparency and integrity in its operations. Furthermore, we promote active stakeholder engagement and foster a corporate culture based on ethics and respect for human rights. In this regard, UniFor has developed a corporate code of ethics that outlines the rules, moral and social principles, which call for virtuous behavior and practices by members of the organization.
UniFor's governance is based on principles of good conduct, risk management, and regulatory compliance to ensure sustainable and responsible operations.
EPD® and LCA
EPD - Environmental Product Declaration is a voluntary certification scheme, originated in Sweden but with international significance, which falls under community environmental policies. Developed in accordance with the UNI ISO 14025:2006 standard, the EPD provides valuable information for the design, evaluation of construction products, and for making comparisons between different products under the same conditions, such as in the design, construction, and management phases of a green building.
FSC®
FSC - Forest Stewardship Council is a non-governmental, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote worldwide the responsible and sustainable management of forests and plantations, ensuring the protection of the natural environment, respect for the rights of local communities and workers, and economic viability in line with the principles of sustainable development.
GREENGUARD®
The GREENGUARD certification program covers all products and construction materials with low emissions, including furniture, furnishings, coatings, cleaning products, electronics, and consumer goods. GREENGUARD certified products are distinguished by their low emissions and contribute to minimal levels of pollutants indoors. To ensure that emissions remain low, certified products are tested annually, while critical components of these products are tested every four months.
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ISO 14001
It is an internationally accepted standard designed to address the delicate balance between maintaining profit and reducing environmental impact. It provides a framework for developing environmental policies and objectives, implementing processes for monitoring environmental performance, as well as managing and mitigating environmental risks effectively.
ISO 45001
ISO 45001 standard pertains to the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) and aims to protect the health and safety of workers while eliminating or reducing workplace hazards. This standard defines the organization's responsibilities in managing health and safety, identifying and assessing risks, implementing preventive and protective measures, as well as involving workers adequately in the decision-making process.
ISO 9001
The ISO 9001 standard pertains to the Quality Management System (QMS) and focuses on providing products and services that meet customer requirements and regulatory expectations. The main objective of this standard is to establish a framework for a systematic approach to quality management, including processes for monitoring performance, controlling risks, and continuous improvement.