PresePresentsnts Sustainable Cabinetry & Millwork

in Green Building Design

Who is Green Cabinetworks?

• A design/build firm specializing in sustainable wood products, green cabinetry & millwork for residential & commercial applications• Expertise on LEED & NAHB Green projects with a LEED AP & LEED Green Associate on staff• FSC Chain of Custody Certified-one of the few woodworking facilities in the world• One of the greenest, most environmentally conscious woodworking companies on the planet through refined capabilities• 100% of wood waste recycled at our facility, close to 90% of paper waste & energy efficient lighting system utilized • Use of all no added formaldehyde stock & water-based finishes

Sustainable Woodwork for a Greener Planet

What Makes a Product Green?• Manufacturer Commitment to Sustainability• Examine the Product’s Composition

• Raw materials used to make the product?• Where do they come from?• Are the materials from renewable resources?• Is the manufacturing process energy efficient?

• Examine Other Aspects of the Product• Does the product do the job well?• How much energy does it use?• Does the product release VOCs? At what rate?• How is the product packaged & transported?

• Examine Strategies for Disposal• Is the product durable? Biodegradable? Recyclable?

• Cost Considerations• What is the price range for the product?• Is there a price premium for the product?

Wood is a Green Building Product!

Wood is one of the greenest, oldest & most traditional building products because it…

• Is natural & recyclable: it can be returned to the Earth to decompose • Is a renewable, sustainable resource: responsible forest management ensures future wood is available • Reclaimable: it can be taken from one project & used in another• Produces less waste than other materials• Wood sequesters carbon & is considered a carbon-negative material

Material(one metric ton)

Net Carbon Emissions*Net Carbon Emissions

(incl. carbon storage within material)

Framing Lumber 33 kg or 72 lbs -457 kg** or lbs -1,005 lbs

MDF (virgin) 60 kg or 132 lbs -382 kg** or -840 lbs

Brick 88 kg or 94 lbs 88 kg or 94 lbs

Concrete 265 kg or 584 lbs 265 kg or 584 lbs

Plastic 2,502 kg 5,516 lbs 2,502 kg or 5,516 lbs

Steel (virgin) 649 kg 1,430 lbs 649 kg or 1,430 lbs

Aluminum (virgin) 4,532 kg or 9,991 lbs 4,532 kg or 9,991 lbs

* Information from the United States EPA, 2006**Carbon content of 49% assumed for woodChart courtesy of AWI (Architectural Woodwork Institute)

Wood Products are Carbon Negative!

Green Woodworking Materials

• Composite Panels

• Green Hardwoods

• Finishes & Adhesives

• Veneer & Laminates

Composite Panels & Sustainable Hardwoods

Composite Panels: Made from small wood particles pressed together using glue, heat & pressure. Green composite panels are made without added urea-formaldehyde & may contain recycled materials.

Sustainable Hardwoods: Sustainable hardwoods come from forest companies with fair, legal and responsible management practices. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) issues certification according to their forestry standards.

Finishes & Adhesives: Soy-based adhesives & water-based finishes with no added formaldehyde do not pollute the air with harmful chemicals & VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Finishes & Veneer

Veneer & Laminate: Greener veneer & laminate options are available & may contain: paper-based products, recycled content & no added formaldehyde.

Green Credentials & Affiliations

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Green Building Program

USGBC

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)• a non-profit composed of leaders working to advance environmentally responsible, profitable & healthy buildings• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program is governed by USGBC• Since LEED was developed in 1998, more than 14,000 projects

have been certified in the United States

FSC

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) • a non-profit supporting economic, environmental & responsible use of the world’s forests• a voluntary, independent third party certification program of forests & materials is available through FSC.

NAHB Green Building Program

National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Green Building Program

• Focuses on homebuilding with:• Energy-efficient resources• Water-efficient features• Resource-efficient features• Indoor air quality features

Why Build Green?

• Environmentally friendly structures & processes

• Efficient use of resources including building materials,

water & energy

• Healthier for occupants

• Reduction of waste, pollution &

environmental impacts

How Does Green/Sustainable Woodwork Contribute to Green Building?

• Renewable/Certified Woods

• Indoor Air Quality

• Regionally Sourced

LEED Overview

LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is a green building certification system governed by the USGBC.

LEED Buildings Result In:• Energy Savings• Water Efficiency• Reduced Carbon Emissions• Healthier Indoor Environments• Efficient Use of Resources• Reduced Environmental Impacts

LEED Credits & Certification

LEED Certification CategoriesCertified: 40-49 pointsSilver: 50-59 pointsGold: 60-79 pointsPlatinum: 80 points & above

LEED Credits for Wood Materials

MATERIALS & RESOURCESMR Credit 4.1 Recycled Content 10% = 1 point MR Credit 4.2 Recycled Content 20% = 2 points MR Credit 5.1 Regional Materials 10% processed & manufactured regionally (500 mi. rule) = 1 Point MR Credit 5.2 Regional Materials 20% processed & manufactured regionally (500 mi. rule) = 1 Point MR Credit 6.0 for Rapidly Renewable Resources (Bamboo or Lyptus ) = 1 Point MR Credit 7.0 Certified Wood = 1 Point

INDOOR AIR QUALITYIEQ Credit 4.1 Low Emitting Materials Adhesives and Sealants = 1 point IEQ Credit 4.2 Low Emitting Materials Paints and Coatings = 1 Point IEQ Credit 4.4 Low Emitting Materials Composite Wood & Agrifiber Products = 1 Point

NAHBGreen Overview & Credits

NAHBGreen Points: • 2.6.1 Renewable Resource Materials  = 3 Points• 2.6.2 Certified Wood = 4 Points• 5.1.5 Low Emitting Materials  = 6 Points• 7.1.2 Low Emitting Coatings  = 6 Points• 7.1.3 Low Emitting Sealants  = 5 Points

Certification Levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Emerald

Green Construction Areas:• Lot & Site Development• Resource Efficiency• Energy Efficiency• Water Efficiency• Indoor Environmental Quality• Homeowner Education

Sources of Poor Indoor Air Quality

• People spend 90% of their time indoors with poor ventilation• Many sources of indoor pollution & allergens including dust, paint, carpeting & cleaning products• Items emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde) into the air• Poor air quality contributes to asthma & eye, throat or nose irritation• Children & older adults are especially sensitive

Green Product Directories

GreenSpec Directory (buildinggreen.com): environmentally preferable products

Green Building Pages (greenbuildingpages.com): online sustainable design & decision making tool for building industry professionals

Green2Green (green2green.org): comprehensive information on green building products, materials & practices

Oikos (oikos.com): serves professionals whose work promotes sustainable design & construction

The Green Guide (the greenguide.com): National Geographic site with product reviews

Good To Be Green (goodtobegreen.com): directory of green building products, materials & service providers