On Earth Day, April 22, JMX Brands CEO Jim Miller announced that the niche online retailer, with its flagship Amish furniture brand DutchCrafters, had applied to join the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC). JMX Brands also runs the eco-friendly and sustainable furniture and home décor website Eco Friendly Digs. The application was accepted on April 24 making DutchCrafters the first Amish furniture retailer accepted to the organization that helps companies reduce their environmental footprints and connect consumers with healthy furnishings.

With sustainability one of the organization’s core values, Miller said in a statement to employees that the company would be “doubling-down” on its commitment to ecological sustainability in a way that employees could feel good about, would add value to customers, and would shape vendor and supply chain practices.

“Joining SFC will mean applying an ecological lens to our value chain, from the sourcing of wood to the delivery process,” said Miller. “It will mean that we also introduce more sustainability into our business operations.”

This year DutchCrafters has committed to taking the following steps toward fulfilling its pledge:

1) Have an energy audit conducted at its Sarasota office to identify ways to reduce consumption, implement best practices, and continually monitor.
2) Internally audit vendors’ sourcing practices to begin to develop plans to improve sustainability.
3) Identify areas the company is already making a difference with ecological sustainability and where improvement can occur.
4) Begin development of multi-year plan to reduce environmental footprint.

About the Sustainable Furnishings Council: Founded in 2006 by Gerry Cooklin, SFC’s mission is to help companies reduce their environmental impact and help consumers find healthy home furnishings. The organization made up of manufacturers, retailers, and designers raises awareness about ecological issues and supports its members in adopting sustainable practices. Members of the council adhere to the council’s motto of PEOPLE-PLANET-PROFITS and lead the industry in best practices.