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Green Living Kitchen Renovation – Part 2 – Cabinets
In this segment of my Green Living series we are going to discuss “Green Cabinetry”. Many people are now considering more environmentally-friendly cabinets over conventional cabinets because the are better for your home, better for your family and better for the environment.
What makes a cabinet “green”?
There are two main criteria.
- They don’t place a strain on the environment and/or
- They don’t pollute indoor air quality.
Some cabinets release toxic gases into the air. Gases can come from the substrate used in the manufacturing process of the kitchen cabinets or they can come from the sealant applied to the exterior of the cabinets. The fiber board or particle board used in the majority of kitchen cabinet boxes is created from a substance which is known to out-gas formaldehyde for the entire time it is in your kitchen. Additionally, the majority of clear finishes used to seal the wood on cabinet exteriors emit high levels of VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) which produce harmful levels of gas in the air. Here are some sources for formaldehyde-free kitchen cabinets.
In addition to the out-gassing, you want to consider the materials your cabinets are made of. Is it an environmentally sustainable alternative?
One popular option is recycled wood. Recycled cabinets cut down on deforestation and if they are made from solid wood they would eliminate the threat of particle board problems. These can sometimes be obtained from salvaged businesses and often older kitchens are made from solid wood. You just have to be aware of the sealant that is applied to the exterior of the cabinets. You may want to consider re-surfacing the cabinets with low VOC or no VOC water based finishes.
If you are looking for new cabinets but still want to be conscience of deforesting and sustainability, stainless steel or any other metal cabinets are an alternative. If your heart is set on wood, there are several vendors available that are known to be formaldehyde-free and/or ESP (Environmental Stewardship Program) and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified. Both ESP and FSC are organizations that assist consumers in easily identifying environmentally-friendly products. Either one of the websites above provide a list of certified vendors.
Coincidentally, while researching article I discovered that my local paper, the Miami Herald, had recently published an article on Local Businesses “weighing the pros and cons of going green”. It outlines the challenges that local businesses have with making environmentally conscience decisions. One of the cabinet vendors, Greenworks Cabinetry, has 8 locations in the South Florida area. Good to know.
For more general information, you can visit the US Green Building Councils Green Home Guide website for ideas, advice and certified green professionals.
I really enjoy sharing ideas and options for “Greener Living” so if you have any suggestions or know of additional resources, I would love hearing from you either via comment below or you can send me a note here.
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