Culp Home Fashions Earns Environmental Partner Status from NC Department of Environmental Quality

Furniture World News Desk on 11/14/2023

Elizabeth Biser, Secretary of NC Dept. of Environmental Quality presenting certificate recognizing Culp Home Fashions as an Environmental Partner in the Environmental Stewardship Initiative to Jenny Tinsley, Manager Corporate Communications & ESG, Culp, Inc.

Culp, Inc., along with its consolidated subsidiaries ("CULP"), has been acknowledged by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality as an Environmental Partner within its Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI). The ESI is a voluntary effort led by the Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service to boost exceptional environmental performance across the state.

To join the ESI program, businesses must apply, be reviewed, and accepted by the Department of Environmental Quality's Internal Workgroup. Environmental Partners like Culp Home Fashions are recognized for developing effective methods to enhance their environmental footprint. Requirements for the partnership include a commitment to exceeding regulatory compliance, establishing and progressing towards environmental goals, and annual reporting of advancements to the NC Department of Environmental Quality. ESI supports partners by offering technical advice and strategies for minimizing water and energy consumption and reducing waste.

Tommy Bruno, President of Culp Home Fashions, stated, “We are excited to be taking this next step in our commitment to environmental sustainability. We’ve made great strides over the past few years, but we look forward to working with ESI to make further progress and gain more technical expertise.”

Culp’s environmental strategy includes a “Zero Waste to Landfill” certification at its Stokesdale and High Point sites, utilization of hydropower in Canada, solar energy at its Read Window facility, and a switch to electric material movement equipment, affecting about 90% of its fleet. Their sustainable product development is highlighted by their collaboration with Unifi in incorporating Repreve® recycled yarn into their fabrics and participating in Unifi’s Textile Takeback program, with significant amounts of recycled material already processed for reuse.

During a recent audit by ESI advisors and Waste Reduction Partners at the Stokesdale plant, Culp received guidance on specific environmental projects and future sustainability plans. Bruno added, “We are focusing on improvements that are realistically achievable while also maintaining an appropriate cost structure for our company and our customers. If we can find ways to reduce our water and energy consumption while also reducing or maintaining our operational costs, then that is a win for the environment, a win for CULP, and a win for our customers.”

About Culp, Inc.
Culp, Inc. is one of the world's largest manufacturers and marketers of mattress fabrics for bedding and upholstery fabrics for residential and commercial furniture. The company markets a variety of fabrics to its global customer base of leading bedding and furniture companies, including fabrics produced at Culp’s manufacturing facilities and fabrics sourced through other suppliers. Culp has manufacturing and sourcing operations located in the United States, Canada, China, Vietnam, Turkey, and Haiti.