The Eucalyptus and Pine wood stock chosen for MDF core of Vers comes from locally sourced and managed plantations near our factory; any trees that are harvested are replanted. Since it’s the wood fiber we’re after, the entire tree is used: trunk, roots, bark, branches and twigs – nothing goes to waste. The wood fiber production system is geared to handle smaller diameter stock typically less than 5 years old; no old growth, threatened or endangered wood materials are used anywhere in our process. Even our furniture-grade veneers are selected from among the most commonly available agricultural wood species on the planet. In the end, the wood used in a Vers system replaces 80% of what could have been plastic. When selected with care, wood is the most renewable material available.

The paper used in our packaging is 100% post-consumer recycled stock and nearly all of the internal plastic packaging, bags & wrapping have either been replaced with post-consumer paper or eliminated altogether. We’ve even done away with twist ties – over a mile of twist ties have been eliminated this year alone. Replacing the un-recyclable styrene foam packaging material typically found in consumer electronics packaging with recycled pulp paper has also allowed us to reduce the size of our boxes by about 12%. More boxes fit in a container, a warehouse or a truck, so less energy is required to transport each individual system. Lots of small choices can add up to a big difference in the end.

The heart of a Vers is it’s Class D amplifier, which is more energy efficient and produces a lot less waste heat than traditional Class AB amplifiers. During operation, a Class AB amp runs between 15% and 40% efficient; a Class D is typically 50% and 90% efficient. Whether you look at it as the same sound for less energy or more sound for the same energy, a Class D amp is a far more efficient alternative. Additionally, all Vers systems use switching-type power adaptors, which draw 30% less power than traditional non-switching adaptors under full load. When powered off, they draw up to 90% less energy. They cost more to produce, but are worth it in the larger picture; more sound for less energy is a good thing.

In our view, no product is truly ‘green’. Any manufactured product requires energy and resources to produce, transport and operate through out their entire life cycle. While ‘green’ is the all-important guiding vision, ‘less brown’ are all of the 100’s of small steps made along the way that get you there. Making a more environmentally sustainable system is neither easy nor free; lots of trade offs and compromises need to be considered. There is plenty of work for us to do still; we have only scratched the surface on sustainable product development. We’re currently planning our carbon neutrality strategy and are exploring links up with key partners to help build on our sustainability commitment.

Check back from time to time to see how we are doing and as always, we welcome your comments!