Environment Aspects
Environmentally Friendly? Eco-sustainable? What does it all mean? With so many different global & local standards, it can get confusing, but we think we offer the most “environmentally friendly” cabinetry in Australia.
When considering what makes an environmentally friendly product, there are three main areas to consider – what it is made of, how it is made, and what emissions does it have after it is made. Our cabinetry is produced in a facility which is solar powered & made from recycled material so there is no impact to the environment in the manufacturing process. Also, we have systems to compensate the emissions related to the transport.
But what about the emissions which are released into the home for years after the cabinetry is installed? Given the time people spend indoor, where air pollution levels are 2 to 10x times higher than those found outdoors (source U.S. EPA), Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is closely tied to health. A major source of indoor air pollution indeed is the Volatile organic compound (VOC), coming from building materials and furnishings, which can be very harmful to the body.
In general, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are the emissions from furniture products, surfaces and paint, as well as other chemicals in indoor environments (such as, for instance, solvents and Formaldehyde), which affect the Indoor Air Quality. Our manufacturer CucineLube has always been very attentive to the matter and in fact is the first kitchen producer in Europe to have achieved the UL GREENGUARD Gold Certification for all of their joinery structures and paint – which means they meet the most rigorous standards for low-emission of VOCs. In addition to that, CucineLube Industries have been using for many years only low Formaldehyde emission material for all the joinery structures, certified F4stars.
More in detail, Formaldehyde is the substance used in the production of adhesives and resins used in the processing of wood panels (MDF and chipboard), which is then released into the surrounding environment in gas form for the duration of the life of the cabinetry. In consideration of human health, this emission has been regulated by specific standards and legislations in many Countries worldwide. In Europe & Australia the current limit for domestic use is set at 0.1 ppm (part per million) or 1 milligram/litre, categorized as E1 (or E zero, as it is sometimes referred to in Australia). This categorization originates from an Act published in 1986 to regulate formaldehyde emissions and remains the level Australian and European manufactures must comply with today.
There is however a standard over 3 times stricter than the E1 category. The Japanese Industry Standards JIS F 4 stars classification is currently the most stringent standard in the world governing formaldehyde emission. The F 4stars requires that emissions must be no greater than 0.3 mg/litre, which is more than 3 times less than the E1 classification and even lower than the so-called “Super E Zero”. All the structural panels we provide comply with these highest of all standards across the planet.
So, in summary, the combination of eco-friendly structures made from recycled material and a solar powered production facility, adherence to the highest standards of emission regulation (JIS F4stars, Greenguard Gold, Reach), compensation of the emission generated by the transport (by planting forestry trees through various programs) plus some 100% recyclable finishes & material guarantees our Customers the most environmentally friendly and healthy cabinetry in Australia.
