Go Green
1. What components are reused from other furnishings?
Our gen² Steelcase 9000 and Avenir hybrid panel systems consist of post-consumer materials that would otherwise be discarded and sent to a landfill. All panels, shelves and overhead bins are remanufactured from our extensive inventory of pre-existing product. Materials that do not meet our strict quality standards are sent to be recycled at an off-site location.
2. Are any of your products Greenguard Indoor Air Quality certified?
In 2004, The Greenguard Environmental Institute awarded certification to Steelcase's Avenir line that included systems and storage solutions. We remanufacture this line using Green practices.Both of our preferred laminate manufacturers, Pionite and Wilsonart, are also Greenguard Indoor Air Quality certified. They offer options in low-emitting surfacing that does not involve special ordering or extra cost.
3. Do you offer fabric options that are 100% recycled?
We offer Terrartex fabrics from Interface Fabrics Group. The broad range of fabric choices are made from 100% recycled or bio-based materials and they are also completely recyclable. The materials used in making these fabrics include post-consumer polyester as well as post-industrial polyester.
4. Is there PVC (vinyl) -free trim options for panels and worksurfaces?
For a vinyl-free option, customers can choose between a 90 degree or 180 degree postform laminate edge as well as a square self-edge laminate.
5. Will your company take back its entire product line at the end of its useful life to the client?
We offer buy back programs for all of our customers. Panels and other metal components are included in the program. Actual terms and conditions depend on the product mix.
6. Are all furnishing components designed for disassembly for recycling?
After buyback, all metal components will either be reused in our remanufactured gen² product or recycled. All other components that are able to be recycled are done so as well.
7. Are you certified under LEED for Commercial Interiors?
Remanufactured office furniture can contribute points under LEED-CI. Maintaining materials in closed loops maximizes material value without damaging ecosystems
8. What kind of paint system do you use?
We have made a substantial investment in our state-of-the-art powder coat process. Unlike liquid paint, no solvents are used, so only negligible amounts of VOCs are released into the air. In addition, unused or oversprayed powder can be recovered so any waste is minimal and can be disposed of easily and safely.
Aside from the environmental benefits, this enables a uniform, durable, high-quality, and attractive finish.
9. Does your company use minimal packaging materials?
Unlike some other companies who package all items separately, we use the least amount of resources while still protecting the product to the best of our ability. Products that can be bound together are done so. The combined pieces are then wrapped in cardboard and shipped to the customer.
We have managed to find a very happy medium between protecting our environment's resources and still maintaining high quality shipping and packaging that results in minimal to no freight damage.
Powder Coating
What is it?
Powder coating is a type of paint that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder.
The dry powder is applied with a gun that charges each particle opposite the charge of metal. Because opposites attract, the powder and the metal are bound together with an electric bond. It is then conveyed into a 400 degree Fahrenheit oven where the powder particles melt, flow and fuse- a process that takes 10 minutes. The result is a baked enamel that is far better than conventional methods.
What are the advantages?
- Powder coating emits nearly zero volatile organic compounds (VOC).
- Powder coating can produce much thicker coatings than conventional liquid methods without running or sagging.
- Powder coating overspray can be recycled and thus it is possible to achieve nearly 100% utilization of the coating.
- Powder coating produces less hazardous waste than conventional liquid paint.
- Powder coated items generally have fewer appearance differences between horizontally coated surfaces and vertically coated surfaces than liquid coated items.
- Powder coating produces near perfect color matching each and every time.
The final result of powder coating is a beautiful finish that is very resistant to wear and chipping - it is three times stronger than solvent based paints. Simply put, powder coating provides a quality finish that can be seen and felt for years to come.