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New Zealand Made | Sustainability | Hand Made | Media Releases
A Sustainable Company Ethos:
Ashton Grove strives to be a sustainable company and incorporates as
many environmentally sustainable methods into the production process as
possible. They are always endeavouring to discover new methods of
recycling, sustainability and waste management. The company is proud to
be a member of the Sustainable Business Network (www.sustainable.org.nz)
Ashton Grove is part of a Canterbury swap scheme whereby they use duvet
off-cuts from Arthur Ellis bedding manufacturers. These, along with
blankets purchased from the Salvation Army, are used for packing
furniture for freighting to Australia.
The company makes every effort to reach ‘Zero Waste’ levels by recycling
paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminium etc. Sawdust is bagged and sold to
local gardeners to assist in soil rejuvenation and timber off-cuts are
given away as firewood. All waste is minimised and recycled where
possible.
Ashton Grove prides itself on its high quality materials and timeless
design. This allows you to pass the furniture from generation to
generation – the supreme way of reducing over consumption!
Timber Sustainability:
The Oak Ashton Grove use is grown in France in sustainable forests.
Since 1827, France has operated a controlled forest management system.
With that wealth of experience, France has initiated the PEFC
certification scheme that guarantees resource renewal. This has ensured
that in the last 50 years the French forested areas have increased by
35% while keeping its biological diversity.
Reclaimed Australian Red Gum:
Australian Red Gum is a hardwood, and as the name implies – it is hard
to work with… however the results are simply stunning.
Ashton Grove’s Red Gum comes from trees that have died or fallen as a
result of past farmland clearing and natural occurrences such as storms,
salinity, drought and floods. They are then cut to ‘maximum recovery’
creating less waste and utilising all available timber.
Shellac:
The traditional craftsman methods used by Ashton Grove are naturally
eco-friendly. Shellac or ‘French Polish’ as it is also known, is a prime
example of this. It has been used in finishing furniture since the 18th
century.
Shellac is non-toxic, eco-friendly and free from the banned AZO group.
It is made from Lac, the resinous secretion of the Lac insect – known as
Laccifer Lacca, a parasite that forms encrustation on the branches of
certain trees.
When it comes to using it in the factory, the shellac proves to be worth
its weight in gold. It shows excellent adhesion to a wide variety of
surfaces, possessing high gloss, hardness and strength and is resistant
to the action of ultra-violet rays.
The final touch:
Ashton Grove uses Kiwax beeswax in the final step in the finishing
process. It is a natural product made by Mainland Paints in
Christchurch. Small tins of Kiwax can be purchased from Ashton Grove
showrooms to help maintain your furniture.
New Zealand Made | Sustainability | Hand Made | Media Releases
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Page Last Updated: 17/05/2011 | © 2007 Ashton Grove | All rights reserved