Discover Monmade’s latest news, industry events for design professionals, and programs for our producers. Here we share what we’re up to, alongside relevant articles and information from our design community and industry.

Our Programs

For our producers, Green Leap is Monmade’s new product development program, designed to foster sustainable products for the built environment.

About The Program

Events

From our local manufacturing tours to product debuts, we always have something going on. Explore upcoming design industry events to add to your calendar.

News

Find the latest headlines from Monmade, our producers, our community partners, and the design and development industry.

View Our News Archive

MONMADE NEWS

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | June 28, 2021

Monmade helps Pittsburgh-area makers think green with new sustainability initiative

MONMADE NEWS

Pittsburgh Magazine | June 7, 2021

Monmade Calls for Communities to Buy Locally, Think Sustainably

MONMADE NEWS

Pittsburgh Magazine | May 17, 2021

Meet the Winners of Monmade’s One Green Product Competition

Monmade’s holistic approach to sustainability is described by our Dimensions of Sustainability. Rooted in our team’s knowledge of responsible manufacturing processes for small businesses, our six defined dimensions inform our assessments of artisan producers and their products. Our producers and their products achieve a dimension when they meet one or more of that dimension’s defined criteria.

Environment

Using sustainable materials including recycled, reclaimed, or bio-based materials, prioritizing sustainable vendors and local sourcing, minimizing environmental impact of facility and/or manufacturing waste, publicizing sustainability practices, planning for responsible growth

Climate

Manufacturing at and/or within 100 miles of primary business location, using renewable energy sources, reducing energy consumption, reducing water consumption, measuring carbon footprint, seeking reduction of use of non-renewable resources

Human Health

Products contributing to safe indoor and/or outdoor air quality, using low-to-zero VOC adhesives/sealants/finishes/paints, products comply with specific industry standards including UL and ADA, providing adequate safety and personal protection equipment for employees, safely using/storing/disposing of materials and/or finishes, using and/or encouraging green cleaning methods for products, recommending responsible installation and/or maintenance of products

Social Equity

Business is women and/or minority owned, workforce is more than 50% women and/or minorities, located in an LMI area, hiring local workforce, contributing portion of profits to charitable organizations, practicing public stewardship, offering employee benefits, providing wage transparency

Circular Economy

Designing products for zero-impact, reuse, and the elimination of waste throughout the entire life-cycle of the product. A circular system often includes (but not limited to) using sustainable materials (e.g. bio-based, reclaimed), safe and efficient manufacturing, durability, using sustainable packaging materials, and a plan for end-of-life

Eco-Labels

Indicates when producers/products/ product components are independently certified/verified for their environmental attribute claims by a third-party organization; certifications/ verifications can be for single attribute claims such as FSC or multiple attribute claims such as EPD, HPD, and life-cycle analysis

See Our Eco-label Reference List