For over 40 years, Waterworks has been steadfast in our mission to elevate the bath and kitchen experience. We are committed to the integrity of our products and the experience they offer, from the originality of our designs to how and where they come to life. This extends far beyond our products themselves—we believe in the importance of responsible and ethical manufacturing, as well as working to reduce our company’s environmental footprint.
As an active member of a strictly regulated industry, Waterworks strives to meet or exceed every standard when it comes to water flow efficiency and materials content. We select responsible and environmentally conscious partners for manufacturing and help do our part to ensure our planet’s health. And by producing high-quality, long-lasting products, we reduce the need to create replacements, as is the case with disposable, limited-use items.
Below, we discuss our actions in three areas: environmental initiatives, compliance with standards, and responsible sourcing. We are always working to improve our performance and will keep this page updated with additional information as we do.
Environmental Initiatives
By using the highest quality materials and creating designs that stand the test of time, we ensure that Waterworks products can live beautifully in the home for generations, both functionally and aesthetically. This limits the need for replacement, minimizing their impact on the world around them.
Our Products
Waterworks fittings are made of solid brass. Almost 90% of all brass alloys are recycled.
Our fittings are made of solid brass, making it our primary material. Brass is very friendly to the environment because it can be recycled an infinite number of times without impacting its quality. In fact, almost 90% of all brass alloys are recycled, meaning that brass producers do not need to formulate it from new metal components (mostly copper and zinc), but instead use remelted and recast brass pieces. Brass can be used over and over, giving it major environmental advantages over other materials.
And when it comes to packaging Waterworks products, we work to make sure the process is as eco-friendly as possible. Approximately 80% of our void fill—the wrapping components protecting products in transit—is made of 100% biodegradable, potato-based material, or 50% already recycled materials. We are continuing to pursue alternatives to the current void fill needed to protect heavier products.
Our Warehouse
In 2022, Waterworks recycled nearly five tons of metal and 606 pounds of e-waste.
Just as with our products, we strive to ensure our warehouse and showrooms are as environmentally conscious as possible. We use FSC-certified paper for all corporate, showroom and marketing materials. Our corrugated cardboard supplier is SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified. At our warehouse, that cardboard, along with scrap metal and e-waste (discarded electrical or electronic equipment), is carefully separated and recycled on a regular schedule. In 2022, Waterworks recycled nearly five tons of metal and 606 pounds of e-waste.
Beyond these major recycling and material-focused efforts, we’re always looking for smaller ways to minimize our footprint as well. Our warehouse uses only LED lighting, as well as timing mechanisms to conserve energy. We believe that incremental efforts all contribute in the long run.
Compliance
Waterworks is proud to be part of an industry that monitors its impact via standards and regulations. Our plumbing fittings adhere to all measures for water efficiency, including low-flow standards; and safety, including low-lead, anti-scald and force requirements.
We also meet several rigorous certifications. Our showerheads, lavatory faucets and toilets are Watersense certified, meaning they meet EPA criteria for efficiency and performance. They use 20% less water than standard products and save energy at the same time. Similarly, all of our products can be tailored to meet strict LEED standards as needed and our kitchen, lavatory and bar faucets are NSF certified, ensuring that they meet safety and performance standards, including low lead content.
Additionally, we work with an outside partner, Assent, who assists us in achieving compliance with product regulatory requirements, including CA Proposition 65, EU RoHS, TSCA Restrictions and EU Waste Framework.
Finally, as part of a publicly traded company, Waterworks reports quarterly on ESG requirements. We are always looking for ways to improve our performance in these arenas, and we take our commitment to our customers—and the public at large—with the utmost seriousness.
Our plumbing fittings adhere to all measures for water efficiency, including low-flow standards; and safety, including low-lead, anti-scald and force requirements.
Responsible Sourcing & Vendors
Our dedication to impeccable manufacturing means that we only work with the highest-quality partners on the planet. The majority of our fittings are produced in Europe, which has rigorous environmental and labor practices, as well as strict regulations for the management of waste and treatment of by-products.
We have also begun audits of third-party factories through FWC (Fair Working Conditions), to ensure the same compliance of labor standards. Additionally, we are in the process of having all of our vendors sign a Vendor Code of Conduct, designed to promote the principles of fair and ethical treatment of workers, compliance with all applicable local laws, and transparency to allow for accountability and reasonable substantiation of compliance.
To monitor the conduct of our vendors, we have initiated our Social and Vendor Compliance Program and our Product Safety and Compliance Program. These tools leverage third-party organizations to track adherence to our expected standards. In addition, we have begun the certification process for CTPAT (Custom Trade Partnerships Against Terrorism) and UFLPA (Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act).
We take great pride in Waterworks products and the fact that they’re designed to last, both functionally and aesthetically. As part of a regulated industry, we’re always looking to do more. We will continue to seek new ways to improve our efficiency, reduce our environmental impact, and meet and exceed every applicable standard. This page will be updated with new information as we do so.
If you’re looking to reduce your own personal footprint, here are five small steps you can consider.
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Buy QualityWell-produced products made of high-quality materials need replacement less often, resulting in less manufacturing. Disposable pieces are just that—disposable—adding to landfills and increasing environmental impact. -
Choose Natural MaterialsBy their very nature, these substances (like brass) can be recycled, whereas most plastics cannot. Making this choice goes a long way toward reducing your footprint. -
Work With Well-Established ProfessionalsHighly qualified contractors will be conscious of quality and precise with installation, while established designers will select the best pieces so that the work only needs to be done once.
Recycle Throughout the HomeIt’s not just for the kitchen. The bathroom is often an overlooked opportunity, so be sure to recycle everything from shampoo bottles to cardboard items like toilet paper tubes and toothpaste packaging.
Upcycle ProductsBeyond just recycling day-to-day items, be sure to upcycle things like fittings and furniture when you’re done with them. Many online companies offer this service, and there are typically local charities to take items in person as well.
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