Sustainability Test

Step 1: Establish

With key members from our product design, supply chain, operations, and marketing teams, we establish a Sustainability Committee that takes a holistic approach towards minimizing environmental consequences. We develop and institute a Vendor Code of Ethics (VCoE) that ensures our network of suppliers uphold ethical and humane standards of production while caring for the environment and its communities.

Our Vendor Code of Ethics outlines our commitment towards human and labour rights by ensuring safe and fair working conditions for those involved in our supply chain, despite differences in cultural and legal expectations that may exist. For example, our VCoE guarantees the equal and humane treatment of all workers, and safeguards against inhumane practices such as child or involuntary labour.

Step 2: Assess

By tracing our supply chains, measuring current consumption, and working with third party auditors to ensure objectivity, we gain a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of our current environmental footprint.

Step 3: Target

Using the information collected, we set benchmarks for improving the sustainability of our business practices and products by using science-based targets to reduce the ecological impact of our entire value chain.

Step 4: Action

It’s time to execute on these improvements; we take charge & make change!

Again, we know words (and dreams) are one thing while actions are another, so we’ve listed some of what we’ve already done to improve the sustainability and impact of our day-to-day practices.

They say it takes a village to raise a child... we say it takes a lot more to bring quality products into the homes of millions of Canadians! That’s why the ethics and effects of our supply chain and operations are paramount to our commitment towards sustainability.

Since we source materials from around the world in order to craft the finest possible products, we’ve had to take an international approach in our production and labour practices. To do this, we develop strong, ongoing relationships with facilities so that we can build mutual trust, ensure product quality and consistency, and improve our practices and technology over time.

Beyond making visits to the facilities ourselves, we also work with third-party auditors to evaluate, monitor, and certify the social and environmental practices of our suppliers. We’re currently in the process of developing a Vendors Code of Ethics (based on industry-recognized principles and international standards) that will ensure all suppliers — no matter their location — uphold a consistent set of policies when it comes to working conditions and environmental regulations.

As for our national operations, we’ve made changes to significantly reduce our environmental burden. Freight (train) transport produces 50-75% less carbon emission than trucks, so we’ve switched to shipping our products by train to Eastern Canada. We’ve also invested in an east coast delivery facility that allows us to increase our efficiency in fulfilling e-commerce orders. Our warehouse and distribution centers reuse cardboard boxes to cut down on waste, and when stores undergo renovation, we refit them with LED lighting and bluetooth technology to help save energy and reduce wiring.

Change starts close to home – that’s why every year QE Home donates hundreds of products and thousands of dollars to charities and non-profit organizations across Canada — including women’s shelters, mission services, children’s hospitals, LGBTQ+ foundations, and more. Supporting communities and individuals in need helps us sleep better at night, and we’re always looking for more ways to get involved with those around us.

When it comes to green initiatives specifically, we’ve put our money where our mouths are. By donating a percentage of our eco-sheeting sales to the reforestation initiative One Tree Planted, we were able to plant 5000 new trees in Canada! Exploring other opportunities for partnership with environmental organizations is something we look forward to doing more of as we move forward with this sustainable vision of ours.

Green Story combines sustainability analyses with data-driven transparency to trace, measure, and communicate the true environmental impact of a product to consumers. This is done by analyzing the environmental impact associated with all stages of a product’s life (also known as a Life Cycle Assessment, or LCA) using the help of third-party auditors to ensure the objectivity and validity of the findings.

Once we’ve calculated our impact, the next step is to counteract!

By partnering with Simplizero on various carbon offset projects, we’re able to neutralize any emissions that result during a product’s life cycle. You can find more information on the specific carbon offset projects we’ve chosen below, or by clicking the green leaf icon (located under the product’s name) on a product page itself.

Upon interacting with the icon, you’ll also be able to see an exact calculation of the carbon emissions incurred —and then offset! —during a product’s life cycle by these projects, as well as how they align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Knowledge is power, after all – that’s why we’re committed to bringing the environment into conversation whenever and wherever we can!

When you choose to shop with QE Home, you’ll rest easier knowing the full impact of your purchasing decisions.

As far as our carbon curbing actions go, QE Home is proud to partner with three projects spanning different developing nations and environmental and social concerns:

Renewable Rice Husk Power Project - Cambodia

Investing in renewable energy is one way we can counteract climate change. By funding the construction of a rice husk-powered energy plant in Cambodia, we reduce the need for gas-powered electricity and provide reliable electrical access to surrounding communities – all while mitigating the methane produced from decaying rice husks themselves.

In fact, utilizing the natural biogas created by these otherwise-discarded husks results in the reduction of 51,620 metric tonnes of CO2 per year!

As the first of its kind in Cambodia, this project creates even more positive environmental and social outcomes by promoting the development of other alternative electricity solutions. It helps fund green infrastructure projects, such as solar or wind power plants, while facilitating the transfer of technical knowledge in the country.

Learn more about the Rice Husk Power Project here.

Safe Community Water Project - Rwanda

Being able to access clean drinking water is something most in the developed world will never have to worry about, but many others around the globe cannot say the same. That’s why we’re funding a carbon offset project that repairs and maintains existing boreholes in rural Rwanda, providing safe, clean drinking water to surrounding communities while offsetting emissions at the same time.

Wondering what a borehole is? A borehole is a long, narrow hole that’s been drilled into the earth so that clean groundwater can be extracted (typically via hand pump). These boreholes alone provide over 50 million litres of clean water, with an estimated 68,000 people directly benefiting as a result!

When it comes to the environment, properly maintained, functional boreholes provide a viable alternative to boiling water via wood-burning fires — eliminating the need for over 85,000 tonnes of wood and reducing the pressure placed on surrounding forests. As a result, this project prevents the release of 125,000 tonnes of atmospheric CO2!

Learn more about the Safe Community Water Project here.

Reforestation Project - Peru

Protecting our rainforests is critical for curbing climate change, as forests act as vital carbon sinks that capture and absorb carbon emissions from the environment.

A quick biology refresher: plants convert atmospheric CO2 + sunlight into usable energy, and the biodiverse life inherent in these forests is particularly good at doing this. A single mature tree in a forest sequesters around 20 kilograms of carbon every year!

By funding projects that restore and protect rainforests in Peru (like the Amazon), we offset carbon emissions and ensure these biodiverse areas thrive for years to come— without living under threat of deforestation.

Altogether, we help sustainably manage and protect the biodiversity of 112,500+ hectares of rainforest, which will absorb 9.5 million tonnes of atmospheric CO2 over the next decade and protect the habitat of at least 35 endangered species!

Learn more about the Reforestation project here.

When it comes to making feel-good choices, you’ll know you’ve done something right when your purchase has been crafted using TENCEL™’s range of sustainable fabrics.

We use TENCEL™’s world-renowned eco-friendly fibers in many of our core products, from our luxury sheets to our fashionable designer linens. Alongside their sustainable production processes, TENCEL™fabrics are also known (and loved!) for their amazing quality, silky smooth feel, and thermoregulating capabilities to boot. Click here to learn more about TENCEL™!

Our Luxury Sheets With TENCEL™ Fibers

BeechBliss

• 100% TENCEL™Modal
• Silky soft and cool to the touch

Eucalyptus Luxe

• 65% TENCEL™ Lyocell, 35% Cotton
• Buttery soft and lustrous

Our Designer Linens + Duvet Covers With TENCEL™ Fibers

Reduce, reuse, recycle...and rejuvenate!

That’s what happens when you sleep on our Less Waste, Less Trace line of 100% Recycled Polyester bedding. By creating this collection from post-consumer plastics, we reduce the use of virgin polyester and help divert plastic waste away from landfills, helping you dress your bed sustainably and affordably from head(board) to toe.

Plus, you can rest assured knowing all LWLT products are Global Recycled Standard certified.

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Bamboo-blend fabrics are popular for good reason: this fast-growing, resource-efficient plant is a soft, breathable, and sustainable superstar! If you’re interested in learning more, you can find out the full eco-friendly scoop over on our Bamboo Fabric Page.

Our signature blend combines bamboo fibers with cotton for added durability and comfort. That’s why cuddling up in any of our bamboo Cotton products is an easy way to do some good for the planet, without sacrificing any of the quality or comfort you expect from QE Home.

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We’re serious about our certifications! Because objectivity, transparency, and consistency matter deeply to us, our certifications work to verify the sustainability and ethics of our production processes through third-party measures. When you shop with us, check to see if your choices are certified for extra assurance that you’re making an environmental and ethical choice.

Here are some key certifications to look for when shopping sustainably:

OEKO-TEX® Certified

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OEKO-TEX® certification ensures a textile has been verified in an independent laboratory, and is free from more than 100 substances known to be harmful to human and environmental health.

Global Recycle Standard (GRS) Certified

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GRS certification ensures that a product contains verified recycled materials and reduces the harmful social and environmental consequences related to production processes. This standard applies to the full supply chain of a given product.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certified

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GOTS certification ensures that organic textiles follow world-recognized environmental and ecological standards during every level of the production process (from harvesting the raw materials to manufacturing, labeling, and more). Fun fact: GOTS certified products are pesticide-free and require lighter water irrigation!

Responsible Down Standard (RDS) Certified

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The RDS certification ensures that best practices for animal welfare are followed throughout the entirety of a product’s supply chain, and that a product contains only certified material.

DOWNPASS CERTIFIED

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The DOWNPASS Certification ensures down or feather materials sourced from Europe meet the highest ethical standards for animal welfare and quality control.