Making products more sustainable has become more and more important for businesses in recent years. Good environmental practices will help the planet produce more natural resources and keep our environment healthy. Cabinet solutions are starting to become more sustainable and eco-friendly. Our team at Rasmussen Custom Cabinetry wants to offer you the best cabinet materials and solutions that fit your home. Whether you want sustainable kitchen cabinets, traditional wood, or pre-built cabinets, there are many options for you.
What Makes A Cabinet Eco-Friendly Or Sustainable?
Cabinets that are sustainable are healthy for the environment and healthy for you as well. Cabinet materials are considered sustainable if they are made with renewable resources, non-toxic materials, or recycled or repurposed as a cabinet.
Eco-friendly cabinets will be made without the use of formaldehyde and the glues that are used will not emit harmful gases that cause damage to your health.
1- Bamboo
One of the most popular materials for sustainable kitchen cabinet building is bamboo. As this material continues to grow in popularity, it is becoming harder to find and is leading to massive harvesting in forests in China. If you decide that bamboo is the right choice for your home, keep in mind that it may take some time to be harvested and made into cabinets.
Bamboo is a beautiful, natural, and sustainable material that is known as a rapidly renewable resource. It is much stronger than other hardwood options and will help improve the air quality in your home. Since it regenerates in less than a decade, the air quality and look of your home will improve with bamboo cabinets.
2- Recycled Materials
Reusing materials is the easiest way to make sure your kitchen cabinets are sustainable. Reusing old cabinets and making them new, using wood from other projects, or even using a mix of plastics and wood can make for unique and sustainable kitchen cabinet solutions.
Reclaimed wood is wood that has been previously used in buildings but will be used to make your kitchen cabinets. Not only will this help you have a sustainable option but will add history and character to your home. Reclaimed wood can take on a whole new life when constructed, stained, and installed by a professional company.
3- Low VOC Paint Or Varnish
Some paints or materials can emit VOC (volatile organic compounds) that are considered toxic. Some common ones in your home can include benzene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, toluene, and methylene chloride. High levels of VOC can lead to nausea, dizziness, liver or kidney damage, and damage to your nervous system. Having a lower level or using varnish with VOC chemicals will help make your kitchen eco-friendly and healthier.
Cabinets can be varnished or stained with zero VOC which will create less hazardous waste in the environment.
4- Salvaged Wood
Similar to reclaimed wood, salvaged wood is material that is used for a new project than one it was originally harvested for. Salvaged wood or recovered wood is new wood that was harvested for other reasons besides building. Some trees are cut down to make room for other projects or are getting older. This wood is an eco-friendly material because it doesn’t require new harvesting to make cabinets. Salvaged and reclaimed wood will also limit waste in the building industry and helps promote the use of recycled materials.
The Environment Stewardship Program (ESP) Seal
A company may claim that they are sustainable or environmentally friendly, but it may not have any proof or use toxic materials. The Environmental Stewardship Program was created to encourage cabinet companies to implement practices that benefit the environment and the communities they serve.
The program encourages pollution prevention, the use of sustainable resources, and minimizing waste. Many companies will receive a seal from ESP and be certified as sustainable cabinet manufacturer. Ask your cabinet contractor about how they are becoming more environmentally friendly or if they are certified by ESP.
Sustainable Kitchen Cabinets With RCC
Our team at RCC wants to help you have the best materials for cabinets and storage in your home. No matter what type of material you are looking for, we can help you obtain it at the most affordable price. Sustainable materials are stunning and add a historical and natural element to your home.
Our cabinets are stained with non-toxic stains and varnishes and our installation process is efficient and eco-friendly.
If you want to learn more about what we offer, or have questions about the materials we use, reach out to us here.
