Rainier Outdoors' Sustainability Initiatives
Our rich history dates back to the Alaskan Gold Rush in 1896. From the early days of our company legacy, Rainier has made sustainability a focal point to company success. We continue to break new ground as an industry leader in the area of environmental stewardship.
It’s our responsibility as a manufacturing company to identify the best way to be innovative in our suitability efforts. Rainier’s Sustainability Initiatives are frequently updated as we work towards going green in all aspects of our company. From how we manage our plant, the manufacturing of products, the shipping, and the installation of our products; ultimately what happens to our products at the end of their useful life. Here are a few ways that our efforts set us apart...
Rainier Outdoor Yurt Wood Selection
Our team incorporates Douglas Fir wood that is grown in the Northwest. We source our wood from the Northwest to limit travel emissions from point A to point B. Douglas Fir timberlands are the most productive softwood timberlands in the United States in terms of volume per acre. The northwest region of the U.S. is governed by environmental laws to protect habitats, watersheds, soils, and biological diversity. The rows of timber in the Northwest are managed in natural stands on long rotations. The vast acreage of forests set aside permanently in National Parks and Wilderness Areas is not a part of the harvestable stands mentioned above.
Wood Treatment
There are various wood finishes that are named environmentally safe products, but in fact, contain hazardous chemicals and harsh odors. We use a wood treatment that is called Penofin Verde. Penofin is a Brazilian rosewood oil, that contains no odor, no petroleum distillates, is environmentally sound, and safe for use around children and animals. This is a 100% sustainable petroleum-free oil finish with no heavy metal compounds. This wood finish can be used in both interior and exterior applications. It is made with new-age vegetable ester solvents, tough plant-based resins, and the same high-quality Brazilian rosewood oil found in all of the fine Penofin products.
Yurt Insulation
Rainier Outdoor offers an R-9 single-layer and R-10 double-layer form of yurt insulation that NASA researched in-depth for astronauts and spacewalks. A popular form of yurt insulation is a LOW-E Radiant Heat Barrier type of insulation. Most people are familiar with traditional insulation barriers like fiberglass, styrofoam, and rock wool. These products insulate by absorbing or resisting Conductive and Convective Heat Transfer. On the other hand, Radiant Heat Transfer is a more dominant way to use insulation. This type of barrier reflects heat energy instead of absorbing it. Check out our blog "Facts on Yurt Insulation" for more information!
Green Energy Codes
In 2008 we launched a formal Environmental Management System, and we became certified in ISO 14001:2004 in May of 2009. We strive in our daily operations to reduce our energy consumption in the building and recycle the bulk of our solid waste. Rainier also encourages employees to be more environmentally sensitive away from work and to do their part in reducing their carbon footprint by using alternative methods of transportation for commuting to and from work.
Yurts are among the strongest and most efficient structures ever created. The symbolism behind the yurt comes from the ancient Mongolian Ger, to improve upon their circular structures with a smart and beautiful design. Many Central Asian tribes adopt their yurt as a full-time live-in structure because of its minimal impact on the earth. We are grateful for the resources surrounding the Pacific Northwest that allow us to preserve the soil beneath our yurts. These resources help us follow in the footsteps of the Mongolian culture. Moving forward, Rainier Outdoor intends to maintain a solid commitment to environmentally sound manufacturing practices.
If you're interested in more information about our yurts, then poke around our website - go to the archived blog posts, check out the floor plans, and explore undiscovered new places! If you enjoyed this post please like, share, or leave a comment below! Come live the adventure with Rainier Outdoor.
