Woodworkers' environmental alphabet.

Gotta love the woodworking industry. Where else would a conversation filled with the initials ESP, SFI, FSC, VOC, PB, MDF, EPA, ARB/CARB, ATCM and LEED make sense?

Out of necessity, North American woodworkers have had to incorporate these abbreviations into everyday life, as they improve their company's environmental awareness and work toward a more sustainable future for the wood products industry.

One of the early leaders in the Green movement has been office furniture giant Steelcase Inc. Years before regulatory mandate required it, the company voluntarily initiated a policy to reduce VOCs at its Grand Rapids plant.

The article by Katie Coleman, on page 43 of this issue, details some of the company's achievements. In the past few years, Steelcase has taken further measures to improve its environmental footprint by: reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 41 percent, VOC emissions by 95 percent, water consumption by 54 percent and energy consumption by 46 percent. The company also has recently completed a 2-1/2-year assessment of every chemical used in its products and implemented a 100 percent water-based UV finishing line.

"It's a philosophy about how we do business more than it's a set plan," said Angela Nahikian, Steelcase's manager of global environmental strategy. "We do have a plan with specific aspirations and benchmarks, but the essence of it is that this is the way we do business every day and are going to continue doing it for a long time."

While the office furniture industry has certainly taken a lead role in sustainable business practices (see article in October W&WP), other groups also are making headway. This month's issue includes a special section in which the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Assn. details its voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) for cabinet manufacturers. Designed primarily for residential cabinet applications, the certification program enables manufacturers to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to sound environmental practices and sustainable manufacturing. Based on an audit system, points are awarded in the areas of air quality, product resource management, process resource management, environmental stewardship and community relations. (Section begins on p. 51.)

To date, 10 companies and 14 brands have been certified under ESP, while 13 additional companies are expected to complete the process shortly. "StarMark Cabinetry chose to be part of the KCMA leadership effort, along with other leading industry manufacturers, to certify its operations and products as being environmentally safe and responsible," said Pete Bendix, vice president of operations. "We believe that the consumer is both aware and concerned about the products they purchase, and if given a choice, will choose goods that are manufactured in an environmentally safe process and constructed from safe materials."

The environmental movement is growing--albeit slowly--in other sectors as well This month's State of the Industry Report by Wade Vonasek and Matt Warnock discusses the efforts and challenges faced by those looking to comply with green building requirements, such as the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program.

Lack of certified sustainable material is perhaps the number one challenge facing woodworkers trying to comply with green building standards. However, as the green building movement gains momentum, and more products become certified, this should change.

GET READY FOR THE WOOD 100

The deadline for entries for the 2007 WOOD 100 report has been moved up this year, and will be in May. This is in order for the WOOD 100 report to appear in the July issue of Wood & Wood Products, with the qualifying companies being honored at a special awards ceremony at the AWFS Vegas Fair.

In order to qualify, your company must meet the following criteria:

* it is primarily a secondary manufacturer of solid wood or composite panel products;

* it has generated annual sales of at least $100,000 since 2004; and

* the company posted greater sales in 2006 than in 2005 Additional details on the 2007 WOOD 100, and the VIP treatment for qualifying companies while at the AWFS Vegas Fair, will be published in upcoming issues.