9 Questions to Ask Your Materials Suppliers if You Care About The Environment

In today’s market, your material choices are more than just a business decision. They’re a statement about your values. Whether you’re in construction, packaging, furniture, or design, the suppliers you choose can directly impact your environmental footprint. Here are 9 questions that you should consider asking your materials suppliers if you care about the environment. 

 

1. What is the origin of your raw materials? Understanding where materials come from helps assess their environmental and ethical impact. Ask if they are locally sourced to reduce transportation emissions or if they come from regions with strong environmental regulations.
2. Are your materials made from recycled or renewable sources? Look for suppliers who use post-consumer or post-industrial recycled inputs, or renewable resources like agricultural byproducts, bamboo, or rapidly renewable fibers.
3. How do you handle production waste? Materials manufacturing often produces scrap or byproducts. Look for circular solutions where waste is reused, recycled, or transformed into new products.
4. What is your water usage and wastewater management policy? Water-intensive processes can strain local ecosystems. Ask if they track usage, recycle water, or use closed-loop systems to minimize waste.
5. Do you have third-party sustainability certifications? Certifications like SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold or ISO 14001 to provide verified proof of a supplier’s environmental commitment.
6. How durable are your materials? Sustainability isn’t just about how a product is made, it’s also about how long it lasts. Longer-lasting materials reduce replacement frequency and waste.
7. Can your materials be recycled or composted at end-of-life? Ensure materials are designed for disassembly and can be reintegrated into the circular economy instead of ending up in landfills.
8. How transparent is your supply chain? Ask if they provide traceability from raw material to finished product. Transparency builds trust and makes environmental claims credible.
9. Do your materials contain added toxins or VOCs? Toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and VOCs can harm indoor air quality and health. Request proof of low-emission certifications like SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold. 

 

Asking these questions isn’t just about “going green”, it’s about protecting your brand, reducing risk, and staying competitive in a rapidly changing market. The data shows that responsible sourcing delivers measurable benefits: lower emissions, healthier spaces, stronger customer trust, and long-term cost savings. 

At ECOR, we’ve built our entire model around the answers you want to hear. 

• 100% recycled inputs – from agricultural byproducts to post-industrial fiber. 

• No added toxins or VOCs – certified for safe indoor air. 

• Designed for circularity – recyclable, compostable, and built to last. 
• Transparent sourcing & manufacturing – because claims mean nothing without proof. 

 

When you partner with ECOR, you’re not just buying materials, you’re investing in a fully circular, high-performance alternative that meets your sustainability targets without compromising on quality. The questions above are the right ones to ask. We just happen to have the right answers.