Sustainability

Our Approach to Sustainability

Built on Respect for the Resource 

At Mountain Lumber Company, sustainability isn’t a new initiative. It’s been a guiding principle since our founding in 1974.
From reclaiming historic timbers to responsibly manufacturing hardwood products, our approach has always focused on using every resource thoughtfully and minimizing environmental impact. For more than 50 years, we have believed that exceptional wood deserves to be used with care, craftsmanship, and responsibility. Whether reclaiming wood from historic structures or working with responsibly sourced new hardwoods, our goal is simple: make the most of every board and ensure the material continues to serve a purpose for generations.

sustainability highlights

Carbon Neutral Operations (2025)

Mountain Lumber achieved carbon neutral status as part of our ongoing commitment to reducing environmental impact. 

FSC® Certified 

Our Forest Stewardship Council certification ensures responsible forestry and transparent chain-of-custody practices. 

Reclaimed Wood Leadership 

Salvaging timber from historic barns, factories, and structures preserves valuable materials while reducing demand for newly harvested wood. 

Greenwell Certification Program 

Our internal sustainability initiative transforms leftover hardwood offcuts into unique architectural elements. 

Local Resource Partnerships 

Sawdust is shared with nearby manufacturers as a renewable energy source with local farms for natural animal bedding. 

Zero-Waste Craftsmanship 

Production scraps are repurposed into handcrafted cutting boards and small goods. 

Reclaiming History 

Mountain Lumber Company first became known for its work in reclaimed wood. Long before sustainability became a widely discussed industry focus, we were salvaging timber from historic barns, factories, and other structures that had reached the end of their life. 

Each reclaimed beam and board is carefully selected for its history, character, and beauty before being milled into flooring or architectural materials. This process preserves the story embedded in the wood while giving it new life.

Reclaimed wood allows historic materials to live on in new spaces, connecting craftsmanship from the past with thoughtful design for the future. 

Reclaimed Vs. Newly Harvested Wood

Responsible Manufacturing 

Sustainability continues inside our mill. Every step of our manufacturing process is designed to maximize material yield and minimize waste.

Through our Greenwell certification program, Mountain Lumber promotes responsible manufacturing practices that ensure every log and board is used as efficiently as possible.

Wood byproducts generated during production help fuel kilns and heat facilities, reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources while making full use of the material that passes through our mill. 

The Program in Practice 

Preparation

Mountain Lumber’s mill team identifies, segregates, and records material for reuse in smaller or alternative profiles. With our internal manufacturing system, we track all reclaimed material for potential Greenwell certification.

PROCESS

Using the same quality control standards, finishing processes, and performance requirements as other Mountain Lumber products, our team manufactures suitable reclaimed materials into new, Greenwell Certified products.

IMPACT

The Greenwell program reduces manufacturing waste, improves usable yield from harvested lumber, and minimizes the need for additional raw materials.

LEED RELEVANCE

While Greenwell is not a third-party certification, the program may support LEED v4/v4.1 Material and Resources credits related to material efficiency and waste reduction. Our team can advise architects and designers on products and processes.

Partners in Sustainability

From Our Mill to Your Kitchen 

 Even the smallest pieces of wood deserve a second life. 

During the production of our flooring and architectural materials, small offcuts and scraps are created that are too short to be used in larger products. Rather than discarding these beautiful pieces of hardwood, our craftsmen and women transform them into handcrafted cutting boards and small goods.

Each board is made from the same exceptional wood that passes through our mill every day, often including species used in our flooring collections. No two pieces are exactly alike, making every board a small reflection of the craftsmanship and character that define Mountain Lumber Company.

By repurposing these materials, we further reduce waste while giving these remarkable woods another life in the home. 

Explore our collection of cutting boards and small goods through our Etsy shop. 

Crafting wood for the future. 

From reclaimed timber to responsibly sourced hardwoods, Mountain Lumber Company remains committed to crafting products that respect the resource and stand the test of time. 

Sustainability isn’t simply a program. It’s a mindset that shapes how we approach every board we mill, every product we create, and every partnership we build.