GREEN
Custom Cabinetry. Better Product. Better World.
Sustainable Forestry
Forests provide numerous environmental benefits, making it essential that we protect and sustain them. They moderate climate change, improve air quality, aid in water conservation, and preserve biodiversity. In order to maintain these benefits and ensure forests meet long term human needs, it is vital we practice sustainable forestry.
Sustainable forestry practices ensure the resources removed from the forest are at a level the forest is capable of renewing without damaging its future prosperity. In doing so, these practices preserve the environment and valuable forest resources. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder ESP advocates that manufacturers purchase wood through a recognized sustainable forestry program.
In addition to sustainable forestry, ESP also supports selective harvesting. Selective harvesting is the practice of periodically removing mature trees in order to allow young trees to grow. Trees that are near their death or have grown to an unproductive diameter can stunt younger trees from growing properly. By periodically harvesting particular trees, forest regeneration is improved. Selective harvesting leads to healthier forests, thus preserving the environmental and social benefits forests provide
Wood & Emissions
Wood products, such as those used in cabinets, can emit low amounts of formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a widely used chemical, which has been studied extensively, and is typically encountered in low levels. Like many other chemicals, if encountered in high levels, it can have negative health effects. Most people have no reaction to low-level formaldehyde emissions, but a small percentage of the population has acute sensitivity to it and other chemicals. For those with known sensitivities, studies have shown that readily available laminated cabinets are among the lowest emitters.
The ESP encourages manufacturers to use low-formaldehyde emitting materials in all their cabinets.
Education & Outreach
In order to be truly environmentally responsible, companies must go beyond monitoring their own actions to educating others. Educating others is a way to increase acceptance of environmental programs, demonstrate the value of environmental responsibility, and amplify your positive impact on the earth.
ESP certification places importance on manufacturers discussing sound environmental practices with their suppliers, in addition to practicing environmental responsibility themselves. KCMA supplier members are supporting ESP manufacturers by evaluating and documenting their own practices to protect the environment. ESP certification also encourages manufacturers to demonstrate community outreach. Manufacturers can utilize their abundant resources to have a significant positive impact on their community. Manufacturers and individuals can get involved in a variety of charitable organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, Housing America, Boys and Girls Clubs, and local hospitals and food banks. It’s imperative to not only be environmentally responsible, but also a responsible citizen in your community.
(1)Internal Revenue Service, “Tax-Exempt Organization and Other Entities Listed on the Exempt Organization Business Master File, by Type of Organization and Internal Revenue Code Section, Fiscal Years 2002-2005,” Internal Revenue Service Data Book 2006, http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/06databk.pdf pg. 56
Recycling & Conservation
Most Americans know that recycling is beneficial to the environment because it conserves resources. In addition, it reduces the emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases directly, and by decreasing landfills. By cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions, recycling ultimately helps control global warming.
Helping the environment by managing waste is vital both for individuals and manufacturers. Manufacturers can earn points towards ESP certification by creating programs for recycling cardboard, paper, plastics and wood solvents. They are also encouraged to continually track waste and document goals to reduce waste. In addition to the more traditional practice of recycling waste, it is also beneficial for manufacturers to recycle process by-products, like steam, to generate alternative energy. Producing alternative energy is another way to conserve precious resources and sustain the environment. Recycling leads to a healthier world which is why having an active recycling program, energy conservation program, and generating alternative energy are all important parts of ESP certification.
(1)Environmental Protection Agency
(2) McKeever, David B. 2004. Inventories of woody residues and solid wood waste in the United States, 2002 The Ninth International Conference on Inorganic-Bonded Composite Materials Conference, October 10-13, 2004 ...Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada [CD-ROM]. [Moscow, ID] : University of Idaho, c2004: 12 pages
www.crystalcabinets.com/GreenProducts.htm
ABS – acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
CPA – Composite Panel Association
EPP – Environmentally Preferable Product
ESP – Environmental Stewardship Program
FSC – Forest Stewardship Council
KCMA – Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association
LEED – Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design
UV – ultra violet
PVC – polyvinyl chloride
No added urea-formaldehyde plywood
ESP Certified
Composite Panel Association’s
Environmentally Preferable Product Downstream Program
Low emitting topcoat, water-based stains and other water-based finishes available.
Harvested from forests that are third-party verified to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations. Due to our Chain of Custody certification, all wood products used by Crystal are either FSC Certified or FSC Controlled.
Green-Core plywood is American made with no added urea-formaldehyde and moisture resistant resins.
Green-Core plywood interior surfaces are coated with a non-emitting and exceptionally durable UV topcoat.
Crystal is certified to the requirements of ESP* 02-09 for Air Quality, Resource Management of Product and Process, Environmental Stewardship and Community Relations under the KCMA* Environmental Stewardship Program.
Crystal is a licensed facility under the Composite Panel Association’s Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) downstream user programs. Over 95% of the composite products used at Crystal meet the criteria for recycled content and emissions.
