Sustainability and Forest Preservation

Dooge’s Preservation Policy

Preserving the World’s Forest

Dooge Veneers believes in ensuring long-term preservation of the world’s forests through supporting responsible production and market distribution. We believe sustainability occurs when government policy-makers, universally approved stewardship and conservation organizations, and the global forestry industry work together responsibly. That’s why we support and promote the work of organizations committed to finding collaborative, responsible solutions to the problems of deforestation–organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council, the Hardwood Forestry Fund, and the U.S.

Dooge Veneers, Inc. prioritizes sourcing and distributing veneer responsibly and ethically. We refrain from procuring from areas where traditional or civil rights are violated, where sustainability is at risk or where genetically modified trees are planted. Additionally, we ensure that our wood is not illegally harvested or taken from areas converted from natural forest to plantations or non- forest uses.

We are committed to making our best efforts to provide veneers from responsibly managed forests according to the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) standards and to establish the origin of materials supplied to customers for the products affected. If it proves impossible to identify the origin, we are committed to replacing it with veneer that can be sourced with confidence.

Our procurement policy requires us to verify and monitor our sources, to monitor the proportions of raw material that have not yet been verified, and to take steps to replace materials of unknown origin. When you purchase veneer from Dooge you can be assured that we are taking care of the forest.

Sustainable Design: Considerations when using Veneer

Assisting you in achieving LEED certification with wood veneers is a service we provide every day. Our Sales team has the most experience in the industry and we take an active role in assisting you with sustainable design processes from beginning to end. When using wood veneer we recommend the following approach in LEED certified projects:

Start Early

Depending on the species and square footage needed, FSC-Certified veneer can be harder to acquire than standard veneers. We recommend contacting our sales team as soon as possible to determine required lead times for species desired.

Be Flexible

Although there has been significant growth in forest certification, the number of species and volume available in FSC-Certifed wood can be more limited than non-certified material. We recommend contacting our sales team early in the planning process to understand availability and possible alternatives if needed.

Verify Suppliers/Vendors

All suppliers and vendors must be FSC Chain of Custody Certified (CoC) to earn LEED MR7 points. Be sure that all vendors chosen provide CoC tracking numbers on all invoices, receipts, and P.O.s for FSC products.

Include Log Numbers on Specs

Include the Dooge Veneer log and tracking numbers on the spec. Doing so will ensure the spec is protected throughout the procurement and fabrication process – ensuring your design work becomes a reality.

Spec Doors and Millwork First

Since doors and millwork are often the highest cost wood in a commercial project, and at least 50% of FSC wood is required (by cost), it is wise to source these higher cost products first to reach the 50% benchmark faster.

Allow a Reasonable Margin of Error

Specify 60-70% FSC woods by cost to allow for possible shortfalls in availability.

Consider Local Materials

Regional or local sourcing can add up to two additional LEED points. Ask our sales team about veneers procured or produced within 500 miles of the job site.

Dooge Veneers is committed to helping you achieve LEED certification for your project.

Our team works closely with the U.S. Green Building Council and the Forestry Stewardship Council to stay abreast of changes and assist you in application of the respective standards. Call on us early in the project and will make sure your project proceeds to success.

For further information regarding certified, controlled and Rapidly Renewable wood we recommend reviewing the Forest Stewardship Council website at www.us.fsc.org and the U.S. Green Building Council www.usgbc.org.

Sustainable Design: Earning LEED Credits with Veneer

Dooge Veneers is committed to helping our customers achieve LEED certification for their projects. With an extensive history of sourcing veneers from around the world, our inventory of certified and controlled veneers is among the largest in the market.

Certified Wood is material that has been harvested with forestry practices that are sustainable as defined by widely accepted standards. Certification guidelines developed and monitored by organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council ( www.us.fsc.org) have been a major factor in the acceptance of sustainable forestry practices globally.

Controlled Wood is non-certified wood that can be mixed with certified material during manufacturing of FSC mix products. It is subject to controlled condition standards as defined by the Forest Stewardship Council. Controlled woods are considered “neutral” when used in mixed wood applications like doors and panels, allowing millworkers to mix certified and controlled material without nullifying certification. They are a great way to supplement low or fluctuating supplies certified veneer without using wood from high-risk or unacceptable sources.

Rapidly Renewable building materials, as defined by the U.S. Green Building Council, are products made from plants that are typically harvested within a ten-year cycle or shorter. Bamboo and cork are two species that can fall into this category.

Earning LEED Credits

Certified wood, rapidly renewable materials, and regionally sourced materials all have potential to earn earn LEED credits. As worldwide demand for certified wood grows, the reality is supply often lags far behind demand – particularly in domestic species. In recognition of this, the US Green Building Council also allows LEED points when mixing certified material with controlled wood. LEED credits may be earned in the following ways:

MR7 – Certified Wood

Earns 1 point for 50% FSC wood by cost. Additional 1 point is available if 95% of material cost is FSC certified.

MR6 – Rapidly Renewable
Materials

Earns 1 point for using rapidly renewable building materials like bamboo or cork for at least 2.5% of all material cost.

MR5 – Regionally Sourced
Materials

Earns 1 point of 10% of installed materials are extracted, processed and manufactured within 500 miles of the construction site. An additional point is available of 20% of the materials are sourced regionally.

For further information regarding certified, controlled and Rapidly Renewable wood we recommend reviewing the Forest Stewardship Council website at www.us.fsc.org. and the U.S. Green Building Council www.usgbc.org.

Sustainable Design: Partner Organizations and Links

The Forest Stewardship Council ®

Forest Stewardship CouncilThe FSC ® mission is to promote environmentally sound, socially beneficial, and economically prosperous management of the world’s forests. Founded in 1993, the FSC is a member-led organization that has earned a global reputation as the most rigorous, credible forest certification system.

FSC Home Page
Get Involved with FSC
FSC Certificate Lookup
FSC Green Building Guidance
FSC Controlled Wood Guidelines

The Hardwood Forestry Fund

The HFF is an educational and active forest management association dedicated to establishing sustainable hardwood forests. Through tree planting and implementation of forest management techniques on public land, the HFF promotes hardwood timber growth, management, and education about responsible use and renewal of our nation’s forest resources.

Home Page
HFF Planting Locations

The U.S. Green Building Council

Founded over 20 years ago, the USGBC was established to help advance better building practices. Through its community networking, continuous collaboration with industry experts, market research publications and LEED professional credentials, USGBC remains a key driving force in the green building sector.

Home Page
Get Involved with the USGBC
USGBC LEED
USGBC LEED Credit Library

The Architectural Woodwork Institute

The AWI was formed in 1954 to improve the standards, provide education, and improve collaboration and relationships with leading industry partners on behalf of the architectural woodwork industry.

Home Page
About AWI
AWI Standards & Technical Assistance

Decorative Hardwoods Association

Founded in 1921, The HPVA serves the hardwood plywood, hardwood veneer, and engineered hardwood flooring industries. With over 90% of North America’s hardwood plywood produced by HPVA members, the organization provides standards, education and other valuable information and resources for its membership and the woodworking industry.

Home Page
Get Involved with DHA
Social Responsibility