Our dedication to the environment is probably very similar to yours. We try to be “thrifty” with our purchases, use every bit of what we buy, and dispose of the remains in the best way possible.
One of the reasons so many cabinet and furniture manufacturers began in the Ohio Valley is the abundance of American hardwood lumber–trees like oaks and maples. Harvesting trees from the local area reduced the waste and cost associated with transportation. This same philosophy holds true today. It just doesn’t make sense in an effort to be green to purchase and ship product from around the world, especially when there is an abundance of usable, renewable products in your own backyard. Over 90% of the hardwoods used to manufacture Haas products is sourced and processed locally.
We purchase products from firms which practice responsible forest management. Good forest management means selectively processing trees as they mature, not clear-cutting the entire forest and replanting two or three trees for every one harvested. This ensures sustainability of this important natural resource.
Once the wooden product is used in our manufacturing process, any unusable scrap pieces are ground into small pieces and recycled into bricks that can be used for fuel to generate heat. We don’t throw the wood into a landfill and haven’t done this for decades because it simply doesn’t make sense.
Over 15 years ago, Haas Cabinet was one of the first firms to adapt to a new finish technology–ultraviolet-cured finishing. This technology allows us to use a finish material that is substantially lower in VOC emissions than typical varnishes and lacquers. This finish material is also 100% formaldehyde free. This technology enables us to capture about 75% of the overspray (the finish that does not land on the wood). The overspray is filtered, blended with new product, and then resprayed onto the product. This not only reduces our overall finish costs, it also removes a huge source of contamination from the environment by minimizing waste.
While Haas Cabinet does not manufacture any plywood or particleboard panels, we do specify and require the panels to meet CARB II emissions standards. This tough standard mandates the use of no added formaldehyde glues. We also purchase these panels domestically, keeping the transportation costs low and providing American jobs.
Small wooden pieces that fall off cut panels are recut into smaller cabinet pieces like toe supports and corner bracing.
Excess cardboard and metal pieces are also recycled. We have our heating systems controlled to only use fuel when we are working. We turn off lights when we are not in the room.
