Porta is committed to sourcing timber from sustainable and environmentally responsible resources.
You can rest assured knowing Porta holds Chain of Custody under the three national and internationally recognised and accredited organisations:
Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)
Australia Forest Certification Scheme (AFS)
Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™)
These are the key bodies that promote stewardship of the world’s forests so that you can be confident Porta’s timber products in your home can be traced to certified sources.
FSC®
FSC® is an independent, non-government, not-for-profit organisation established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.
Under FSC certification, responsible forest management means that producers work to keep the balance between three main pillars: ecological, economic and socio-cultural. Growers and harvesters seek to mimic the natural process of tree regeneration. This means the forests are managed in a way that not only takes care of the animals and plants that call it home, but also the workers and local communities who rely on forests, and indigenous groups whose heritage connects them to the forest landscapes.
FSC has a rigorous forest product labelling scheme. It is the only forest label supported by environmental groups such as the World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace and The Australian Conservation Foundation, and by major forest product retailers.
Note: Porta is aware of concerns surrounding FSC’s certification process. To ensure the strictest sustainable forest management methods are carried out we monitor these issues and conduct our own due diligence on all our suppliers. We conduct an audit yearly with our suppliers that includes a site visit and face to face discussions on their FSC management processes. We review all aspects of manufacturing and supply chain processes for new suppliers in person and in the forest. Porta also ensures the values of the company and management team align with Porta’s family led values.
For more information, we recommend reviewing the FSC certification process.
PEFC™
PEFC™ is an international non-profit, non-government organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management. The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification is the certification system of choice for small forest owners.
PEFC is considered the world’s largest certification system and tailored specifically for family and community-owned forests. It also requires companies to demonstrate compliance to social, health, and safety requirements in the certification process.
AFS
Australian Forestry Standard Limited (AFS Ltd) is a not-for-profit public company which owns and manages the Australian Forest Certification Scheme (AFCS). AFS oversees the operation of the Australian Forest Certification Scheme (AFCS) which applies to forest management and chain of custody certification in Australia. The AFCS is endorsed by PEFC, the Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification.
AFS is also the PEFC National Governing Body for Australia and the Australian Forest Certification Scheme has been endorsed by the PEFC.
Cumaru supplier: Maderera Bozovich S.A.C (Bozovich)
Porta followed a strict due diligence process when assessing Bozovich as a potential supplier of Cumaru hardwood for the Australian market. Porta was looking for a hardwood timber that would meet the demands for a sustainable, durable, versatile and attractive hardwood timber. Porta was aiming high, assessing if would exceed Australia’s specific design trends, Construction Code and Sustainability requirements. Porta’s GM, Operations Director, Sales Manager, and Sourcing Manager met with Bozovich owners, management team and field staff to understand their manufacturing, operations and marketing processes. We meet annually in Peru to strengthen the relationship and share strategic goals for promoting and selling Cumaru in Australia. These discussions have helped Porta learn and ensure their values and vision are aligned. Bozovich are also a family business where honesty and respect are core to the way they conduct business.
Bozovich business priorities include among other items to purchase, process and commercialize 100% FSC certified timber. (FSC certificate available upon request) You can read more about their approach on their site called Bozovich in the Forest, and their Responsible Procurement Policy. Bozovich also work very hard to combat illegal logging in South American forests. They are part of an alliance that launched the initiative named ‘National Pack for Legal Timber’ which aims to ensure all timber produced in Peru come only from verified legal sources.
Combined, these activities led Porta to conclude that this supplier goes above and beyond to support responsible forest management, and is a partner of choice for the long term.
BEYOND THE FOREST – SUSTAINABILITY AT PORTA
At our factory in Melbourne Porta is committed to sustainability and caring for our local urban community.
We capture the sawdust from moulding production, which is then reused mostly in the poultry industry and the equine industry (horse stables), as well as other community activities.
Pallets are processed into woodchips that are used for garden products.
Waste timber is donated to charities such as Men’s Sheds in Victoria.
We seek to operate a sustainable operation in our management processes, which includes recycling paper and cardboard, plastic packaging and waste timber.
