Sustainable Caskets: Windsor Industries and Eco Choice Aotearoa Certification

Eco Choice Aotearoa Certification

At Windsor Industries, we’ve been proudly serving the New Zealand funeral industry for over 30 years, crafting high quality sustainable caskets right here in New Zealand. The Buckingham couch, is renowned for its premium craftsmanship, and we take pride in the service we provide to families in their time of need. Over the last 5 years, we have maintained an important milestone: the Eco Choice Aotearoa certification. A testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability. But what does this certification mean, and why does it matter when it comes to sustainable caskets?

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What Is Eco Choice Aotearoa Certification?

Eco Choice Aotearoa is New Zealand’s trusted environmental certification program, recognising businesses that meet stringent sustainability standards. The certification is not awarded lightly - it requires comprehensive assessments of how a company sources materials, manages waste, and reduces its environmental footprint. For Windsor Industries, receiving this certification is about showing our customers that we care about the planet as much as we care about delivering exceptional sustainable caskets.

Our Sustainable Practices and Certification Journey

Achieving Eco Choice Aotearoa certification isn't easy, but it is necessary to demonstrate our dedication to the environment. We work closely with NZ Forest Managers, who hold Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for 57,000 hectares of planted forest. These forests are monitored for water quality, pest control and the health of native wildlife. We also use untreated timber for our sustainable caskets and source veneer certified by Eco Choice Aotearoa, ensuring our materials are sustainable from start to finish.

In addition to sourcing certified materials, we’ve taken numerous steps to reduce our carbon footprint. From using non-toxic, water soluble glues and water based stains to programming our cutting machines to optimise timber usage, we minimise waste at every stage of production. Our sawdust and shavings are recycled into fire briquettes, and we encourage staff to use offcuts for personal projects, reducing landfill waste wherever possible. By investing in such practices, we ensure that the sustainable caskets we produce have as little environmental impact as possible.

Native Tree Planting: A Gift for the Planet

At Windsor Industries, we believe in giving back to the environment which provides us with the materials we use. Through our partnership with Trees That Count, we donate a native tree to be planted for every solid timber casket sold. This initiative has been in place since 2020, and to date, we’ve donated 1,500 trees that have been planted in reserves across New Zealand. This small but impactful gesture is part of our larger vision to contribute to a greener, more sustainable future through the sale of our sustainable caskets.

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Incorporating New Zealand’s Cultural Heritage

Sustainability isn’t just about the environment - it’s also about honouring our cultural heritage. Windsor Industries works with Pukaha Wildlife Centre to carve our hand-carved Waka Moenga caskets and urns. Proceeds from these caskets support birdlife conservation, while the Puhoro designs carved into the caskets represent a speedy journey into the afterlife, adding a personal element to our cultural caskets. Additionally, our Dorset Kowhaiwhai casket features rimu with an inlaid wild paua kowhaiwhai pattern, further showcasing our commitment to New Zealand’s cultural values and sustainable caskets.

Natural Burial Options: The Eco-Friendly Choice

As part of our sustainable offerings, Windsor Industries provides sustainable caskets that are suitable for natural burials. Our Dorset range, the Waterford pine, and the Whatu Moenga caskets all support natural burial practices, which allow for the body to decompose naturally, returning the nutrients to the earth. This is a growing movement in New Zealand, and we’re proud to offer sustainable caskets that support it. Choosing a casket for a natural burial not only contributes to the environment but also promotes a return to nature, completing the circle of life in an environmentally friendly way.

Why Eco Choice Aotearoa Matters

Being certified by Eco Choice Aotearoa is more than just a badge of honour - it’s a reflection of our company’s core values. It shows that we are dedicated to reducing our environmental impact and are committed to ensuring that New Zealand remains a beautiful place for generations to come. The certification has enhanced our reputation in the market, making us a trusted supplier to both funeral homes and families looking for sustainable caskets. It demonstrates that we are willing to go the extra mile for the planet and our customers. For families seeking sustainable caskets, this certification assures them of the quality and care that goes into every product.

Looking Toward the Future

As one of New Zealand’s leading casket suppliers, we are committed to remaining at the forefront of sustainability in our industry. We plan to continue offering eco-friendly options and will further invest in programs which allow us to reduce our environmental footprint. We want to make sure that our children inherit a beautiful, thriving New Zealand, and we believe sustainability is key to achieving that goal. The demand for sustainable caskets is growing, and we are proud to meet that demand with our range of environmentally conscious products.

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A Legacy of Sustainability

Eco Choice Aotearoa certification is a significant part of Windsor Industries, but it’s just one part of our ongoing journey towards sustainability. We are proud to offer environmentally conscious sustainable caskets that reflect our dedication to both quality and the planet. Every casket we create is a testament to our values, and every tree planted, every piece of recycled timber and every sustainable choice we make is a step toward preserving New Zealand’s natural beauty for future generations.