Green values

go into every panel we produce…

Snowcap Lumber manufactures products that are environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable. High quality is achieved not only by selecting and producing the best possible wood available for grade, but also through a commitment to sound environmental management in the manufacturing process. We have adopted business practices that strive to protect our environment and ensure better lives for our families and future generations.

SNOWCAP’S COMMITMENT TO YOU

'Going Green' is not just a fad, but an overall movement that affects the way we live our lives. To this end, as long as six years ago, Snowcap began implementing policies that follow strategic and strict environmental standards. We continue to improve upon these practices through system analysis and advances in technology.

Here is how Snowcap is addressing those concerns with the products it uses in the manufacturing process:

Glue

The main glue product used at Snowcap is PVA (poly vinyl acetate) called Duro-lok 42-2112, a glue that complies with European and Japanese environmental standards and is formaldehyde free (CARB compliant). PVA meets the requirements of the Canadian Chemical Producers’ Association Responsible Care Initiative which calls for continuous improvement in health, safety and environmental performance.
The glue used in the splice lines of our composed skins of veneer is a Hexion product. This type of glue application has a very slight, almost non existent formaldehyde component – less than .0001% per sheet of our plywood. Hexion is also an environmentally conscious company that is continually updating their production methods.

Core

We buy from only the best core producers of MDF, particle board and combination cores, companies who harvest their raw material from sustainable forests and comply with the forest stewardship councils in Canada and the United States. All environmentally friendly cores available upon request.

Wood veneer

All the logs we purchase to cut into our slicing grades come from sustainable forests and forest companies who adhere to the sustainable initiative of replanting the forests. They also comply with strict logging practices which means that the environment is not compromised in the extraction of the raw material.

FSC

FSC or Forest Stewardship Council, is an internationally recognized body that certifies forests through strict environmental standards. Through a chain of custody system, FSC tracks the authenticity of forest certified products from the forest to the end user. Snowcap now offers FSC certified, chain of custody products for many of our species. Canada represents the largest area of FSC certified forests in the world.

Manufacturing

Snowcap applies lean manufacturing practices to all its processes in the factory. We have eliminated as much waste as possible and monitor all the stages of our production – no harmful waste is put out into the environment. Our water is also being constantly monitored to track its progress: how it flows and how it is processed before it goes back into the storm drains and onwards into the water processing facilities of the community.

Safety

Snowcap Lumber is committed to the safety and health of our employees and the public whenever they are affected by our operations. We believe that safety and health is a shared responsibility – and that everyone from top management, to supervisors, to each and every worker, must take ownership of his or her own safety and that of co-workers by adhering to safety policies, rules and regulations at all times. Safety and health are an essential part of Snowcap’s culture.