Sustainability
Developing green business initiatives is more than just a trend. The benefits range from the monetary to the planetary and include long-term cost savings, a healthy workplace and community, a reduced impact on climate change, and the ongoing protection of the environment.
To assist and enhance your efforts to make environmentally friendly design choices, CHi has created Seeking Excellence in Eco-conscious Design (SEED).
The SEED checklist is incorporated into every CHi design and allows you to analyze and understand the impact your décor package has on the environment and national economy.
The checklist has six categories that measure a design package’s sustainability:
- Hard Seating Finishes
- Soft Seating Finishes
- Surface Material
- Certified Wood Products
- Innovation
- CHi Standard of Sustainability
Projects that meet all checklist requirements are awarded a plaque recognizing integration of green materials and practices into the seating and décor.
Recycling Tips
So you're ready to start fresh, but unsure of what to do with all the leftovers? If you want to do right by the environment, follow these tips to discard materials properly.
Top Ways To Recycle
Before You Demo:
- Donate usable furniture to a local non-profit. Try Goodwill.org or CharityNavigator.org
- Post your stuff on Freecycle or Craigslist.
How to Dispose of Unused Building Materials:
- Donate to Habitat Restore.
- Contact companies your purchased products from to see if they would like to take back what you are removing to recycling.
Resources
Recycling Common Construction Materials
Wood/Laminates
Check your local waste hauler. Woods and laminates are a common item that can be recycled. Make sure you ask if screws and adhesives are a problem. If tables are not able to be donated, you might have to separate the steel and vinyl edging.
Metal
Metal is easily recycled. Contact your current waste hauler to see what they will take. If they can’t help, enter your zip code at www.1800recycling.com to find local recyclers.
Ceilings
Armstrong has a great program for recycling used ceiling tiles. They work with local companies to consolidate truck loads to be returned to their manufacturing facility. They have recycled over 80 million sq. ft. of old ceiling material since the program began in 1999. View reference.
If you are purchasing another manufacturer’s ceiling system, check their website to see if they take back ceiling systems.
Wallcoverings
Omnova has a recycling program for anyone purchasing Recore or Ecore wallcovering. View details.
Hazardous Materials
Items such as fluorescent light bulbs and asbestos need to be properly disposed of. Visit www.1800recycling.com to find out how.
Words to Know
VOCs, renewable, recycled—what do these words mean? With all the buzz about going green, we want to ensure our customers have a clear understanding of sustainable products and processes.
Carbon Offset
Corporate or individual financial investment in a project designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, one carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide. Examples of carbon offset funded initiatives include wind farms, hydroelectric dams, and forestry projects.
Cradle to Cradle Certification
A third-party certification program focusing on the health impact, safety, and social responsibility of products including upholstery and upholstery finishes. C2C analyzes the energy and water efficiency of manufacturing processes and considers how products will be recycled and composted. www.c2ccertified.com.
Greenguard
An institute that tests and certifies products to meet indoor air quality standards. www.greenguard.org.
USGBC & LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) sanctions Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). LEED is a green rating system and certification program nationally accepted as a benchmark for design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. www.usgbc.org.
LEED AP
Design professionals accredited by the USGBC‘s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program (LEED). Accredited professionals understand credit requirements for certification and can assist owners in specifying products for a better future.
Energy Efficient
Products using less energy to provide equal energy output. For example, fluorescent and light emitting diode (LED) lamps use less energy than traditional tungsten bulbs but achieve the same, if not greater, amount of illumination.
Post-Consumer Materials
Materials generated from residential and consumer waste that can be recycled and used for new or similar purposes. This includes converting recycled glass into sheet goods and using recycled plastic to manufacture new products.
Pre-Consumer Materials
Recovered industrial and manufacturing materials derived from scraps, trimmings or cuttings that can be sold, traded, or exchanged. This includes wood, textiles, tile and plastic.
Polyurethane
Poly-vinyl chloride, or PVC, is a poisonous chemical. PVC-Free polyurethane has the same durability and feel as standard vinyl but is much healthier for individuals and the environment.
Rapidly Renewable
Rapidly renewable materials or fibers are made from plants typically harvested within a cycle of ten years or less.
Urea-Formaledehyde
A colorless gas found in adhesives used in particleboard and sealants. Products releasing high levels of urea-formaldehyde can cause eye irritation and respiratory problems.
VOCs
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), found in paints and adhesives, are chemicals that vaporize at room temperature and can be hazardous to installers and occupants.