December 10, 2024
Written by Abner
“Go green!” “Reduce, reuse, recycle!” “Become an eco-warrior!” These slogans encourage us to live sustainably. Did you know you can support the environment by designing your kitchen? Eco-friendly kitchens are on the rise as people become more aware of their impact on the planet.
Why Choose Eco-Friendly Cabinets?
There are various levels of sustainability to consider in cabinetry construction and the available materials. The three most common materials are particleboard, MDF, and plywood.
Particleboard (i.e., low-density fibreboard) and MDF (medium-density fibreboard) are the most accessible and economical choices in sustainable cabinet materials. These materials reduce the demand for wood from newly cut trees, thereby conserving forests. They also help reduce waste by recycling wood that would otherwise end up in landfills. Additionally, producing materials from recycled content typically requires less energy than processing new wood, lowering our carbon footprint.
Most MDF, particleboards, and TFLs contain formaldehyde. However, over the last decade, TFLs, particleboard, and MDF manufacturers have created low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) options. VOCs are present in nearly everything we use, but typically, their levels are so low that they do not impact us or our families, even after extended exposure. For those seeking wood products free from VOCs, Columbia Forest Products offers CANAM plywood, which utilizes formaldehyde-free, soy-based glue along with layers of basswood (Columbia Forest Products, 2021).
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) classifies formaldehyde as a carcinogen (Government of Canada, 2024). While its presence in industrial settings is strictly regulated, there are no standard regulations for VOCs outside these environments. Choosing eco-friendly cabinets helps you avoid these health risks, as they utilize sustainable materials and finishes, ensuring a healthier indoor environment for your family. Brands like TAFISA and Columbia Forest Products emphasize low or zero-VOC materials in their products.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building certification program that promotes sustainable construction and building operations practices. Choosing eco-friendly cabinets can help a building project earn LEED points. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. Lucvaa’s most recent high-rise multi-residential project is working towards its LEED certification using products like TAFISA’s EVOLO particleboard line, which uses 100% recovered and recycled wood (TAFISA, 2018).
There are several factors to consider when choosing eco-friendly cabinets. One recommendation is that the manufacturer’s cabinets must be crafted from materials sourced from either sustainable forestry or recycled wood. Clients can request certifications from their cabinetry manufacturer, such as the Forest Stewardship Council certification, which focuses on sustainable forestry and tracking the chain of custody of forest-based materials, and CARB2 compliance, indicating low formaldehyde emissions. At Lucvaa Kitchens, we are well-prepared and fully equipped to meet these requirements by offering a wide range of products that are compliant with the highest sustainability standards.
Opting for eco-friendly cabinets is a vital step toward a sustainable lifestyle. By considering the materials, finishes, and manufacturing processes, you can design a beautiful and healthy kitchen that supports your family’s well-being and the environment.
References
Columbia Forest Products. (2021, November 16). Can/AM gold: Low cost plywood panel. https://www.columbiaforestproducts.com/product/canam-gold-panels/
Government of Canada, C. C. for O. H. and S. (2024, May 10). Formaldehyde solutions. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/formaldehyde.html
TAFISA. (2018). Evolo. Tafisa. https://tafisa.ca/en/tafipan-evolo
