Posts Tagged ‘green woodworking’
Grain Surfboards launches ‘Offcuts Initiative’ for sustainability
The Offcut Initiative" aims to reuse and recycle all wood scraps from Grain Surfboards' production of skateboards and surfboards.
It lies around the shop in piles, buckets and bins, just waiting for a life of its own. Most people would see it as “waste,” but a very special corner of Grain Surfboard’s catalog is made exclusively from it – wood scraps. These bits of wood, coupled with Grain’s passion for “closing the loop” have inspired the company’s latest effort, which it calls “The Offcuts Initiative.”
“The Offcuts Initiative is a recognition of our effort to waste no waste,” states Brad Anderson, Grain co-owner. “In the normal course of producing surfboards and home grown kits, we’ve simply devoted ourselves to finding ways for each off-cut to be used somewhere down the line.” Though the last stop for Grain’s shavings and splinters is as animal bedding or garden mulch, whatever wood harbors even a hint of utility gets saved in the corners of the shop to await it’s full potential.
As they previously have with Grain’s line of handplanes and body boards, these saved scraps seem almost to inspire a path to their own future. And so, when master-deck-presser Courtney Strait strolled into Grain’s shop one day with a collection of her skateboards, the way seemed clear. A plan was soon hatched to laminate a pile of beautiful, leftover cedar veneers together with SFI-certified sustainably harvested maple to create The Cedar Hill Skateboard. Finished with a “permanent grip-tape” deck of bamboo cloth laminated with Entropy Eco-resin, and with the distinctive Grain Surfboards logo burned into the deck and bottom, this first skateboard to come from The Offcuts Initiative is like no other. With all the perfectly paved roads around Grain Surfboard’s headquarters, the Research & Development department will be quite busy.
Grain Surfboards is proud to bring it’s line of handplanes, the Sea Sled body boards, and now, The Cider Hill Skateboard, into the new “Offcuts Initiative” program. With this step, surfers, skaters and people that care about thoughtful product development can know that they’re “recycling and recovering the resource” even as they combine their passion for street-surfing or body-surfing with caring for the planet. For more on The Offcuts Initiative, go to www.GrainSurfboards.com.
True North Certified Forest Products Network adds St. Germain’s Cabinet Inc.
True North Certified Forest Products Network recently added Minnesota commercial cabinet fabricator St. Germain’s Cabinet Inc. to its Forest Stewardship Council chain-of-custody group certification program, joining eleven other firms in the network.
The True North Certified Forest Products Network offers small primary and secondary manufacturers, distributors retailers of forest-based products with total annual forest product sales of less than $5 million access to membership in a group FSC chain-of-custody certification program. The Network is a program of the Minnesota Wood Education Project, a nonprofit organization committed to increasing awareness of the value of sustainable management of forests and improving the economy. Those interested in becoming FSC certified may contact the Network at 651.223.5629, email info@truenorthcertified.com or visit www.TrueNorthCertified.com.
‘Green’ home building, remodeling market expected to expand
“Green” homes comprised 17 percent of the overall residential construction market in 2011, and are expected to account for 29 percent to 38 percent of the market by 2016, according to findings of a new Green Home Builders and Remodelers Study by McGraw-Hill Construction.
Based on the study’s five-year overall residential construction forecast, green homes, by value, are expected to grow in value from $17 billion in 2011 to $87-$114 billion in 2016.
According to the study, construction industry professionals expect an even greater increase in green home remodeling, with 34 percent of remodelers reporting that they expect to do mostly green work by 2016, a 150 percent increase over 2011 activity levels. The study found that businesses that do green building work have a competitive marketing advantage, with 46 percent of remodeling businesses saying that “building green” makes it easier to market themselves in a poor economy and 71 percent of remodeling firms dedicated to green home building also reporting that.
By 2016, 33 percent of builders anticipate the majority of work (more than 90 percent of projects) will be dedicated to green work, up 17 percent from 2011, and 22 percent of remodelers anticipated the same, nearly triple the 8 percent reporting being dedicated to green work in 2011. The study found that many factors are driving the green homes market, with “higher quality” and “increases in energy costs” as the leading factors. Builders also reported the cost to “go green” is at 7 percent in 2012, compared to 10 percent in 2008.
McGraw-Hill Construction will print the full results of the study in an April report during the National Association of Home Builders’ National Green Building Conference and Expo. For more information, go to http://analyticsstore.construction.com/index.php/green-homes-results-fact-sheet.htm
BTEC supports State of Union clean energy commitment
The Biomass Thermal Energy Council issued a statement in support of President Obama’s State of the Union commitment to homegrown and clean energy sources. In the address, President Obama discussed the importance of tapping into America’s vast energy and technology resources to meet the nation’s energy needs and build the economy.
“We welcome President Obama’s call for an all-of the-above strategy to develop American energy,” said Joseph Seymour, BTEC executive director. “Creating local jobs and reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil have always been part of BTEC’s mission. We look forward to working with his administration in meeting these goals through the utilization of one of America’s most abundant renewable resources – biomass.”
Prior to the address, BTEC joined approximately 200 other groups in a Pew Environment Group statement urging Congress to “Harness the Heat” in industrial applications, thereby spurring billions in investment and one million jobs, the groups say.
Seymour said: “BTEC will be working closely with members of Congress on legislation that provides incentives for efficient biomass heating appliances and fuels. Such incentives are essential for supporting local jobs and encouraging the use of a renewable and affordable fuel.
“We are encouraged by President Obama’s dedication to advance clean energy sources, and we must stress the importance of addressing thermal applications in any energy strategy. With thermal applications accounting for approximately one-third of our nation’s energy consumption, incorporating biomass thermal energy into a national CES will increase the use of our renewable resources while creating and maintaining energy jobs in our communities,” he said.
The Pew Environment GRoup “Harness the Heat” statement can be read online at http://www.pewenvironment.org/news-room/other-resources/harness-heat-to-create-new-jobs-and-enhance-competitiveness-85899368966.
National Office Furniture receives Gold mark for low-emissions
National Office Furniture received Scientific Certification Systems Indoor Advantage Gold certification for low-emitting furnishings.
National’s wood veneer casegoods, tables, storage, media cabinets, wall rail solutions and dividers earned the SCS Indoor Advantage Gold mark by meeting and exceeding emission criteria to protect the respiratory health of occupants.
The Indoor Advantage Gold mark complies with USGBC LEED credit EQ4.5. Additionally, 100 percent of company-manufactured products earn level 2 or 3 certification assuring customers that National products are sustainable, produced in an environmentally friendly manner and come from a responsible manufacturer, which may qualify for additional credits under LEED Pilot Credit 43, according to the company. For more information on these certified products, please visit www.nationalofficefurniture.com.
American Hardwoods Promotion campaign launches information website
HardwoodInfo.com provides consumers with information on using American hardwoods in building and remodeling projects and also offers resources for professionals.
The American Hardwoods Promotion campaign, which promotes American hardwoods as the building and remodeling material of choice, has a new website at www.HardwoodInfo.com.
The ”American Hardwood Information Center” site serves as the official website of the campaign and provides consumers with information on wood species selection, design trends, care and maintenance, installation, finishing and professional specifying of American hardwood products.
“This website encompasses a vast amount of industry knowledge for both consumers and professionals seeking information about American Hardwoods,” says Linda Jovanovich, executive vice president for the Hardwood Manufacturers Association. “From expert tips and photo galleries to tools for industry professionals, the site is informational and inspirational – and we plan to add even more features in the coming months.”
The site has two main sections: admirers and enthusiasts. The “admirers” section provides information for consumers and homeowners on choosing, selecting and caring for American hardwoods, along with a photo gallery. The “enthusiasts” section offers information for designers, specifiers and professionals about using American Hardwoods in building and remodeling projects.
The site also includes a members-only “American hardwoods promotion” section, featuring marketing and sales tools that allow industry professionals to promote their business as an American hardwoods manufacturer or supplier, such as a logo, brand use guidelines, sell sheets and campaign backgrounder. The site’s newsroom offers press releases with photos and other resources relating to the American hardwood industry.
Canplast acrylic products receive Greenguard certification for children, schools
Canplast, a division of Surteco, was awarded a Greenguard certification for children and schools from the Greenguard Environmental Institute for its PVC, ABS and Klear-Vu acrylic products.
Canplast’s PVC, ABS and KLEAR-VU acrylic products are now Greenguard certified.
The Greenguard children and schools program includes specialized requirements that address the sensitivity of infants and children in daycares, schools and other environments. Canplast says its edgebanding meets these requirements, including additional limits on chemicals such as phthalates and toxins that impact child development. More information on the Canplast’s Greenguard-certified products can be found at www.canplast.com.
Armstrong Cabinets to be featured on DIY’s ’10 Grand in Your Hand’
Armstrong Cabinets will be featured on DIY Network for its "green" kitchen remodeling project.
Armstrong Cabinets will be featured in Fall 2011 in an upcoming episode of the DIY Network show, “10 Grand in Your Hand.” The cabinet company was selected by homeowners Doug and Heather Sheehan for their “green” kitchen renovation, a process that involved recycled countertops, donating their old cabinets, re-insulating with natural fibers for energy-efficiency and using Armstrong’s Origins series with no-added formaldehyde adhesive.
The premise of “10 Grand in Your Hand” is to show real homeowners how to cut as much as $10,000 from their renovation or remodeling project by offering advice on new materials and technologies, plus how-to info.
“We enjoyed working with Armstrong because we knew – even from a simple glance at the easily navigated and informative website – that they had the products to make the experience rewarding and the customer service to keep things simple. Not to mention, when we got to the location, we were met with a beautiful showroom that opened our eyes, and more importantly, our homeowners’ eyes, to previously unconsidered possibilities,” said Heidi Scheuermann, production coordinator for ”10 Grand in Your Hand,” by Boy Wonder Productions.
“10 Grand in Your Hand”, season 6, episode 609, “Going For Green” with Heather and Doug Sheehan, will premier on October 26 on the DIY Network, and will be replayed throughout 2011 and into 2012. For a full schedule of this season’s “10 Grand in Your Hand” lineup, visit http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/episode_archive/0,1000626,DIY_33156_1062,00.html. For more information on the cabinetry, visit www.armstrong.com/cabinets.
Smith & Fong expands soy-based adhesive system products
Smith & Fong's soy-based, formaldehyde-free adhesives include Plyboo bamboo flooring lines.
Smith & Fong Co. expanded its soy-based, formaldehyde-free adhesive system, which now includes the company’s PlybooPure flooring, PlybooSport sports flooring as well as its full range of PlybooPure urea-formaldehyde-free bamboo plywood products.
“We now have very healthy inventory of our SoyBond bamboo flooring and plywood products here in North America,” Dan Smith , company president and founder, said. “We’ve spent the better part of two years refining our manufacturing processes to adapt to a soy-based adhesive system developed by our partner Ashland Inc. that is based on their Soyad adhesive technology”.
Smith & Fong began experimenting with the soy-based adhesive technology in the fall of 2008. The company says that in addition to different handling procedures and protocols for working with the adhesive, new presses and application equipment were essential to the successful conversion of the soy-based system. Smith said the company hopes to move all manufacturing to the new system.
American Forest & Paper Association urges passage of free trade agreements
American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Donna Harman praised President Obama’s administration for telling Congress to implement legislation for the free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.
Harman said: “I applaud President Obama for submitting these important free trade agreements to Congress for a vote. American manufacturing produces quality products that people rely upon around the world, and passage of these FTAs is essential to providing businesses the level playing field needed to compete.
“The United States is one of the world’s most diverse exporters of sustainable forest products with 2010 U.S. exports of forest products to the three countries reaching $1 billion. While our international competitors are rapidly negotiating their own trade agreements to reduce barriers, quick Congressional approval of all three FTAs is vital to global competitiveness for American businesses. When American manufacturing is allowed to compete, their success creates much needed jobs. The American Forest & Paper Association fully supports the pending FTAs with South Korea, Colombia and Panama and urges Congress to approve them.”
