Our Commitment to the Planet

Every award we make reflects the world we want to live in—equitable, sustainable, and rooted in integrity.

Taking Action on Climate

At Rivanna, we take climate responsibility seriously. As a participant in the SME Climate Hub, we track and report our greenhouse gas emissions annually. In 2024, we reported 153.35 metric tons of CO₂e and achieved Net Zero by retiring 154 metric tons of Verified Emission Reductions through Gold Standard.

We believe in transparent climate action—measured, verified, and aligned with science-based targets.

Responsible Forestry

We don’t just build our own awards—we know how, when, and from where our wood is harvested. Since day one, we’ve been a certified Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) chain-of-custody provider (FSC-C019049), ensuring that every piece of wood we use supports healthy forests, thriving ecosystems, and resilient communities.

Why Forests Matter

Forests make life possible. They filter the water we drink, clean the air we breathe, and support the livelihoods of over 1.6 billion people worldwide. Yet these ecosystems are disappearing at an alarming rate. Every minute, 64 acres of forest are lost due to illegal logging, development, agriculture, and fire.

According to the World Resources Institute, 30% of global forest cover has been cleared, another 20% degraded, and only about 15% remains intact.

The Role of Forest Certification

Forest certification is the most reliable way to ensure responsible forest management. It protects biodiversity, preserves water quality, safeguards the rights of workers and Indigenous communities, and promotes the long-term health of forest ecosystems.

Maintain ecosystem health and biodiversity
Produce wood on a renewable, sustained basis
Deliver social and economic benefits to local communities and workers

Why We Choose FSC®

The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is the global leader in responsible forest management. Founded in 1993, FSC developed the world’s most rigorous standards for sustainable forestry—covering environmental impact, Indigenous rights, and fair labor practices.

We choose to be certified by the FSC because the FSC standard is most closely aligned with our company's priorities and values. In particular, we appreciate that the FSC standard addresses not only environmental issues, but issues related to indigenous rights, community well-being, and socio-economic sustainability.

Explore our FSC-certified awards

Download Our FSC Chain-of-Custody Certificate (FSC-COC-) (PDF)

Eco-Friendly Materials & Responsible Sourcing

If you've been searching for awards that reflect your values, you'll notice right away—ours look different. We don’t use plastic, acrylic, or tropical hardwoods like rosewood. Instead, we use FSC-certified wood, bamboo, recycled glass, and recycled aluminum, all sourced with care.

We are proud members of the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council. SPLC brings together visionary professionals from institutions, suppliers, government, standards bodies and NGOs to simplify, optimize and standardize the practice of sustainable procurement. Just as the USGBC’s LEED program provides a shared platform for guiding, measuring, and recognizing leadership in green building, SPLC proposes a shared platform for guiding, measuring, and recognizing leadership in sustainable procurement. Learn more about our green supply chain.

Recycling & Composting

We reduce waste through reuse, recycling, and composting. Scrap wood is repurposed or composted at a local farm. Our scrap wood trophies are made in small batches from offcuts and end pieces.

We recycle glass, paper, cardboard, and aluminum with TFC Recycling. We compost wood dust, food scraps, and shredded paper thanks to training from fellow B Corp NOPE Compost Co.

Energy & Water Conservation

Energy Efficiency

We’ve implemented best practices in energy use since our early days, originally as part of the EPA’s Energy Star® for Small Business program. We continue to prioritize efficient equipment and smart energy use.

100% Green Power Since 2003

We've offset 100% of our electricity use every year since 2003. Programs have evolved over the past two decades. Today, we offset through Dominion Virginia Power’s Green Power® program. These offsets are Green-e® Energy Certified, sourced from wind, solar, and biomass facilities in the region.

Water in Our Name

Rivanna is named after the Rivanna River, a tributary of the James River and the source of drinking water in Charlottesville, where we were founded. Only 32% of Americans know the source of their tap water—we think that matters.

Minimizing Water Use

Since 2018, we've installed WaterSense® toilets, outdoor irrigation timers, and begun converting turf grass to native plants. In 2019, we created a conservation garden with a grant from the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program, replacing pavement with native vegetation to reduce runoff and support pollinators.

Green Packaging & Carbon Neutral Shipping

Our packaging is minimal, recyclable, and designed to protect your awards without excess. We don’t use plastic clamshells or fancy boxes—just what’s needed to get your order to its destination safely and sustainably.

When it comes to packaging, we continually seek ways to reduce our environmental impact—without compromising on safety or presentation.