Resource Utilization

Conner Focuses on Resource Utilization

As an industry leader in the industrial wood and wood transportation packaging industry, we know that it’s paramount that we not only pay attention to how we use our resources, but also that we work hard to improve how we utilize our resources and look for alternatives.  We strive to improve our energy usage, reduce our waste products, and help our customers to make the best choices in the materials they use in their packaging products.

Just a few of our long-term sustainability goals…

Conner is working on ways to reduce our energy usage – everything from electricity to gas and water.  We aim for a 30% reduction by 2030.

We are committed to working with our customers to use fewer materials in their packaging and we’re pursuing alternative packaging materials.

Conner is diligently working at each of our manufacturing locations to improve fiber utilization and reduce waste by 30% within the next 10 years.

Responsible Sourcing

Conner performs thorough supplier evaluations covering a wide range of factors that affect our business with them, including environmental impact.  We maximize responsible material sourcing by ensuring that our wood-based materials adhere to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) policies regarding the consumption of sustainable and approved timber resources whenever possible.  Additionally, many of our wood material suppliers are SFI certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s third-party auditors.

Maximizing responsible material sourcing whenever possible ensures that packaging materials come together to create Conner products that are both responsible and sustainable.

supply chain sustainability
resource utilization

Recycling, Waste Reduction, and Material Utilization

Wood-based transportation packaging, and pallets in particular, have an average lifespan of 3-5 years.  Wood pallets are used and reused many times, can be repaired, and are often repurposed.  According to a study done by Virginia Tech, at least 95% of wood pallets are recycled within the manufacturing and industrial packaging industry.

At Conner, we prevent wood fiber from entering landfills through our own waste reduction and material utilization policies.  By maximizing the yield from every piece of lumber, and utilizing drops, off-cuts, and overages whenever possible, we create less waste.  We also convert by-products from our manufacturing processes into new products such as mulch, pet bedding, horse bedding, firewood, and fuel pellets, we save many tons of material from ending up in a landfill.

Conner is diligently working at each of our manufacturing locations to improve fiber utilization and reduce waste by 30% within the next 10 years.    We are also committed to working with our customers to use fewer materials in their packaging and we’re pursuing alternative packaging materials.

Resource Management

Conner’s manufacturing processes necessitate the use of electricity, water, and fuel to create our products and provide a safe working environment for our employees.  Our Principles of Continuous Progress ensure that we monitor the usage of these elements and look for ways to manage and reduce our consumption annually.

Conner is working on ways to reduce our energy usage – everything from electricity to gas and water.  We aim for a 30% reduction by 2030.  We are also committed to utilizing alternative energy sources and smart reduction strategies whenever possible.

resource utilization