Environment

We have picked a manufacturer of Bamboo Hardwoods' cabinets that carries the Environmental Stewardship Program seal of certification administered by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA). This certification is your assurance that the manufacturer of your cabinets is dedicated to making sure more than just your cabinets last. ESP recently earned approval from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited certification organization. And the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) now references ESP as their benchmark for cabinet standards. Our cabinetry meets or exceeds stringent manufacturing criteria in the following categories:

• Control of air quality and emission levels
• Use of certified and sustainable materials
• Energy efficient manufacturing processes
• Waste and recycle management
• Social stewardship

In the area of sustainable material usage and resource management:

Our standard particle board used for our cabinet case construction meets the Composite Panel Association (CPA) Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) specification CPA 2-06 for low formaldehyde levels. The level must be no greater than 0.18 per million parts of air. This is extremely low, and satisfies the stringent 2010 California Air Resource Board requirements for low formaldehyde emissions.

The same particle board core material also meets the same EPP specification for being manufactured with 100% fiber that’s recycled, recovered or both. This is recycled wood, and it’s put to good use. This material is also harvested and milled within 500 miles of the Pacific Crest factory, reducing transportation and fuel consumption.

Our new EcoCore box option provides the best solution for environmental sustainability and air quality in a cabinet interior. This industrial grade pine core particle board contains no urea formaldehyde, therefore exceeding all air quality and emission standards. It is Composite Panel Association (CPA) certified as an Environmentally Preferred Product (EPP) meaning it is 100% recycled or reclaimed wood fiber content. And the pine board fiber content comes from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber. Surfaces are covered with thermo-fused Maple wood grain melamine, creating a great looking cabinet interior that is durable, easy to maintain, and healthy for you and our environment.

We offer a no added formaldehyde plywood box option in our ANNEX Cabinet Line.

This is a great alternative for those wanting a no-added formaldehyde plywood box construction. Plywood has known performance qualities and our plywood option is made with Sustainable Forest Initiative certified woods. Like our standard particle board case material, this option is also harvested and milled within 500 miles of the manufacturing facility.

Over 65% of the hardwoods used for door and drawer faces are certified through a recognized sustainable forestry program such as SFI, American Tree Farm System and the Canadian Standards Association. In our ANNEX Cabinet Line, upon special request, we can access and provide a limited selection of hardwoods that carry the FSC certification. Bamboo, which is known for its rapid re-growth and sustainability is also available in the ANNEX Cabinet Line as well as the CITY Cabinet Line.

Being eco sensitive isn't just about the materials, its also about manufacturing processes, conservation processes, and air quality.

Waste management is a huge part of our manufacturer's responsible, holistic approach. In 2007, over 2.15 tons of cardboard scrap, 31.25 tons of wood waste and 1,054 tons of sawdust were recycled; all materials that didn’t end up in landfills. Over 3,700 gallons of solvent were recycled from wood finishing products last year and in doing so, it was converted into reusable, clean solvent.

Another aspect of our manufacturer's commitment to waste reduction is their panel cutting machinery optimization software. It improves panel yields by 15% over conventional processes, which means less waste.

Energy conservation is achieved by using the latest wood working machine technology. Using the newest machinery increases productivity and capacity with less energy. And the dust collection system used by our manufacturer not only provides a clean air environment, it uses a computer controlled, variable frequency drive system that is programmed to run at the necessary capacity level that saves a considerable amount of electricity. And while it may seem like a small issue, the lighting in the manufacturing facility is adapted to an efficiency level that earns results in an energy rebate check.

Our state-of-the-art computerized flat line spray system used for applying the clear top coats reduces emissions by over 30%. And it incorporates a reclaim system that captures overspray, which is then used for a sealer coat. No waste.

We use Sherwin-Williams clear, catalyzed conversion varnish top coating. It has no measurable level of formaldehyde or hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and extremely low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Use of this top coat combined with our Cefla automated application system contributes to our exceptional air quality standards.