(Our practicies)
SUSTAINABILITY
At Belforti Instruments®, we're deeply committed to sustainability. Our love for music goes hand in hand with our respect for the environment, and we're continuously seeking ways to minimize our ecological footprint.
Discover the different actions we take on a daily basis, and the fundamentals on which the company is built to reduce waste, optimize energy use and manage our precious ressources.
Environmentally Conscious Production
Efficient “Everyday” Operations
Our production process is meticulously designed to be as eco-friendly as possible. We optimize our machinery and processes to use less energy and produce fewer emissions. The batch production model, small numbers and our optimized protocoles helps us run a smooth operation that minimizes power use, waste and overall consumtion.
Advanced Air Treatment
All of our finishing process is done using a CE Certified spraybooth, built in France following the highest standards of the automotive industry. This isn't your average paint booth. It's specifically designed to significantly reduce the environmental impact of our finishing processes. Coupled with a state-of-the-art air filtration system, it effectively captures and neutralizes airborne pollutants, ensuring that the air we emit is cleaner than the air typically found in urban environments.
Green Energy
Renewable Energy Powered Workshop
Our workshop operates on renewable energy sources. By harnessing solar power, we not only reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, but also considerably lower our carbon emissions. This green energy powers our tools, lights, and even heats our workshop during winter.
EV Powered Luthier
From our daily commutes between the manufacturing and repair shop, to our supplier tours at local sawmills, and even those special, last-minute missions before big venues to rescue a show from a faulty preamp - all our trips are done using an EV. But not just any EV! Our ride is powered by a rare-earth free engine, adding another layer of sustainability to our operations. Plus, it looks really cool !
Ecological Infrastructure
Vegetalized Workshop Rooftops
Going beyond traditional sustainability measures, we've transformed our workshop rooftops into thriving green spaces. These vegetalized rooftops are not only beautiful to look at but also serve multiple environmental purposes. They act as natural insulation, reducing energy needed for heating and cooling. They also absorb rainwater, reducing runoff and helping to manage stormwater in our local area. On top of that, these green roofs provide habitat for local flora and fauna, enhancing urban biodiversity.
Packaging
Recycled Packaging
We strive to make our packaging as sustainable as possible, which means we avoid using polystyrene and other harmful materials that can take hundreds of years to decompose.
Instead, we opt for recycled and recyclable materials for our packaging. Our packaging materials are carefully selected to ensure they provide robust protection for our instruments during transit while minimizing their environmental footprint. This includes recycled cardboard boxes, biodegradable fillers, and paper tape. Each element is chosen not just for its eco-friendliness, but also for its ability to safely secure our guitars.
Resource Optimization & Waste Reduction
Upcycling
We understand the value of the materials we use. We’ve mastered the art of optimizing our precious wood stock, reducing waste to a minimum. Wood scraps and shavings are repurposed or recycled where possible, used as knobs, pickup covers, pickguards, goodies etc. In cases where they cannot be reused, they're responsibly disposed of, contributing to our comprehensive waste management plan.
In a near future, all of our wood waste - sawdust and shavings - will be transformed into compressed pellets and repurposed into cat litter, heating pellets, gardening supply and many more
Sustainable Materials
Wood Sourcing
At Belforti Instruments®, our commitment to sustainability extends to every aspect of our business, including our wood sourcing practices. All of the wood we use is either Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified or sourced from family-owned and managed forests. This means that the wood we use for our instruments is responsibly grown and harvested, ensuring the protection of forest habitats and respect for the rights of local communities and workers.
By choosing to use only FSC certified wood or wood from family-owned forests, we’re making sure that our instruments not only sound amazing but also contribute to the health of our planet. We understand that our beautiful instruments begin with the health of our world's forests, and we are committed to their protection and preservation.
Natural finishes
Belforti Instruments® proudly offers a range of natural finishes, developed and perfected over the years to deliver both aesthetic beauty and longevity.
Our natural finishes are carefully formulated with minimal environmental impact in mind. We utilize oils and lacquers that are derived from renewable resources, free from harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Despite their eco-friendly nature, these finishes provide a durable, resilient layer that protects the wood and enhances its natural beauty.
The result is a finish that not only allows the grain of the wood to shine through but also respects our planet. It allows the intrinsic character and charm of the wood to stand out while creating an intimate, tactile connection between the player and the instrument.
Delivery
Commited Delivery Partners
We meticulously select our delivery partners with sustainability as a critical factor in our decisions. It's not just about getting our guitars from point A to point B; it's about doing so in a way that aligns with our green ethos.
Our delivery partners are companies that demonstrate a clear commitment to environmental responsibility. They deploy a range of sustainability practices, such as using electric vehicles in their fleet, investing in carbon offset projects, and actively reducing their emissions. They also prioritize efficient route planning to reduce fuel consumption and carbon footprint.
By partnering with these forward-thinking couriers, we ensure that every step in the journey of a Belforti® guitar – from our workshop to your door – is done with care for our planet.