AHFA accepting nominations for Sage Award

HIGH POINT, N.C. — The American Home Furnishings Alliance has posted the award criteria and complete entry form for the 2008 Sage Award. It is now available online at http://www.sustainablebydesign.us/sageaward.aspx.

The Sage Award was created to recognize excellence in the home furnishings industry in the areas of sustainable business practices, social responsibility and profitable growth.

The award is sponsored by Cargill’s BiOH polyols and will honor its first recipient at AHFA’s Sustainability Summit on Nov. 13 in Greensboro.

Cargill’s BiOH polyols, which are used in flexible foams, also will sponsor the two-day Sustainability Summit.

The Sage Award will recognize a manufacturer or designer of finished home furnishings or bedding products or a retailer in the home furnishings or bedding industry.

Nominees must demonstrate leadership in reducing the industry’s environmental footprint and expanding its positive social impact while running a profitable business.

The deadline for submitting an entry for the 2008 Award is Sept. 5.

An independent panel of judges from throughout the home furnishings and bedding industries, as well as from environmental and social organizations, will evaluate each entry.

Company names will be removed from all applications and will not be shared with the judges at any time during the judging process. Applicants need not be AHFA members or users of Cargill’s BiOH polyols to enter.

Criteria for the Award include:

• Sustainable Business Practices. The nominee’s organizational policies and procedures related to environmental stewardship will be assessed. Environmental impact programs and initiatives will be taken into account, including reducing energy usage, water consumption, and waste; responsible raw materials sourcing; recycling efforts; and employee education.
• Social Practices. The applicant’s leadership in supporting community involvement and social equity will be taken into account. Items considered might include supplier management practices or codes of conduct and recognition or reward of employee and supplier social stewardship efforts.
• Profitable Growth. Applicants must demonstrate how their sustainable business practices have translated into business growth and success.

Additional considerations will include product design and merchandising that promotes sustainability or extends product lifecycle; shipping, manufacturing and warehousing operations that reduce use of non-renewable energy in transportation; and support of organizations focused on addressing environmental challenges.