Mouser Cabinetry Environmental Transformation - A Commitment to the Environment

A Commitment to the Environment

An Ongoing Commitment to Environmental Improvement Throughout Mouser Cabinetry’s history, ownership and management have been committed to conservation of resources and protection of the environment. Since 2000, our corporate commitment to “green manufacturing” has been expressed through several important environmentally responsible programs and initiatives.

• Lean Manufacturing processes were implemented to effectively improve production efficiencies, reduce material waste and control energy consumption.

• Mouser Cabinetry became a certified member of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s Environmental Stewardship Program and continues to meet or exceed the environmental standards established by this industry organization.

• The company has established and expanded recycling programs for paper, plastic, aluminum, cardboard, metal, packaging material, solvents, and wood waste.

• Sustainable products, such as bamboo, foils, laminates, and reconstituted veneers, have been added to the Mouser cabinet lines.

• Implementation of the Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative, which promotes the continual search for materials and processes designed to conserve resources, protect the environment and improve our way of life.

Mouser Cabinetry will continue opportunities to improve air quality and emissions, utilize sustainable products, reduce material waste, increase recycling efforts, and demonstrate good

corporate

citizenship

toward

the

community in which we operate. We will hold our suppliers and vendors to the same high standards we employ, and we will educate those who are less active in environmental stewardship programs.

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KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA), an industry leader in environmental accountability, introduced the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) to establish standards and monitor progress for responsible and sustainable cabinet manufacturing. In 2006 Mouser Cabinetry completed the initial certification process and became an active member of the KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program.

Annually, Mouser Cabinetry goes through a rigorous ESP certification process with a cumulative score requirement across five important categories of evaluation. The five categories of compliance are: • Air Quality - Reduction in the emission of hazardous air pollutants (HAP’s).

• Product Resource Management - Use of recycled and sustainable products.

• Process Resource Management - Establishing and documenting recycling, waste management, and energy conservation programs.

• Environmental Stewardship - Documented commitment to environmental quality and the review of vendor practices and policies.

• Community Relations - Demonstrate community involvement through service and/or charitable organizations.

KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program Adopts CARB Regulations In 2009 the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) expanded the scope and breadth of its Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) initiative to include the formaldehyde emission levels enacted by the California Air Resource Board (CARB). The CARB standards have established the most stringent international formaldehyde emission levels on furniture board and plywood.

The Mouser Fleet Mouser Cabinetry operates a fleet of company trucks for product delivery to dealer locations and job sites. Several initiatives have been introduced to conserve fuel and reduce emissions.

• Mapping software is used to determine the Formaldehyde, a by-product of natural metabolic processes and combustion, is also used as an adhesive in a wide range of building products, floor coverings, cabinetry, wall coverings, and furniture. Studies performed by the California Air Resource Board have identified formaldehyde as a toxic material affecting indoor air quality and creating health risks for the general population.

most fuel efficient delivery route available.

• On regular intervals, technologically advanced tractors are acquired to replace less fuel efficient models. These upgraded tractors conserve fuel and reduce emissions.

By adopting CARB regulations and mandates, the KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program has committed to the systematic reduction in usage of materials with added formaldehyde preservative. Mouser Cabinetry, an active, ardent supporter of the KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program, was certified CARB compliant for Phase 1 in January 2009 and compliant for Phase 2 in January 2010, and has initiated the plans and preparations for all CARB compliancy dates.

Mouser tractors are equipped with Auxiliary Power Units to reduce fuel consumption and decrease emissions. When drivers are shut down or resting, these Auxiliary Power Units provide safe, comfortable cabin environments

As further evidence of Mouser Cabinetry’s commitment to better air quality in the home, all Mouser framed cabinets are constructed with plywood that has ‘No added Urea Formaldehyde’. In addition, Mouser Cabinetry purchases materials from U.S. based suppliers that are conscientious users of natural resources and provide environmentally friendly products. Many of these suppliers are assisting Mouser Cabinetry in the search, assessment and evaluation of environmentally safe materials.

without running the main engine.

Finish Recycling Recycling initiatives implemented in the Mouser Finishing Department have proven beneficial to both the environment and the day-to-day operations of the company. The finish recycling equipment re-claims the cleaning thinner through a distillation process by heating it to a sufficient temperature to allow solvents to evaporate through a coil into a second container. This process results in a cleaning solvent that is reused in the Mouser Finishing Department.

Approximately 80% of the cleaning thinner is reusable and is processed back into the Finish Department for use as a cleaner to flush residue from the finish equipment and pumps.

The finish recycling process produces a hard, solid residue utilized as a fuel by other industries, thus resulting in significant reduction of actual waste that requires disposal.

Recycling - Cardboard

Resource Conservation Initiatives

An investment in recycling equipment has aided Mouser Cabinetry in efforts to collect and recycle corrugated waste. Nearly 100% of the corrugated packaging received with incoming material shipments is recycled. In addition, Mouser Cabinetry offers blanket wrapped product delivery, which reduces the company’s consumption of packaging material. Currently, over 70% of the company’s cabinet shipments are blanket wrapped.

Sawdust Collection System Mouser Cabinetry uses an elaborate dust collection system to capture sawdust and wood shavings for recycling. Wood waste from the manufacturing process is sent through a wood grinder for conversion to a usable, recyclable product. All waste materials are transported to a local wood products recycler and are prepared to be used as animal bedding, landscape material, wood fuels or components of other wood products. The realized benefits are: • Over 700 tons of waste material never reaches a landfill • The waste material is converted into reusable products • The cost of waste removal has been reduced 95%

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Material Optimization Waste Management

In addition to the Lean Manufacturing processes implemented to improve production efficiencies, reduce material waste and control energy consumption, Mouser Cabinetry has long been an advocate of proven waste management policies and programs. For years the company has purchased sheet stock in two panel widths, 4’ and 5’, and three panel lengths, 6’, 8’ and 10’, to maximize utilization of material and minimize the offal. When combined with sophisticated optimization software and state-of-the-art, computerized cutting and CNC equipment, actual wood waste is reduced to the lowest levels possible.

As a long-standing practice, salvageable material pieces travel one of two courses. Those large enough to be cut into other cabinet components are returned to inventory for future use.

Smaller pieces of offal are collected and then machined into dimension parts such as cabinet supports, braces, hanging rails and cross stretchers. Mouser Cabinetry management has always believed that conservation of resources begins with the best utilization practices on the plant floor and that commitment has never been altered.

Paper Recycling As a custom cabinet manufacturer, Mouser Cabinetry uses a significant amount of paper for everything from technical reviews of orders to custom quotes and engineering drawings for production personnel. Company initiatives have been implemented to reduce the amount of paper used and blue recycling bins for non-coated paper have been placed throughout the plant and office areas.

Coated paper items, such as magazines, outdated brochures, etc., are processed with cardboard waste or shredded with wood waste for recycling. The benefits are: • Conservation initiatives continue to reduce the amount of paper used by the company • Over 90% of the coated and non-coated paper waste is recycled • Improved purchasing practices have reduced waste in literature, catalogs, brochures, etc.

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Wenge, Zebrawood & Other Reconstituted Veneers Mouser

Cabinetry

incorporates

reconstituted

man-made

veneers as a part of its conservation practices. Mouser’s offering of man-made veneers includes Wenge and Zebrawood; exotic woods native to Equatorial Africa, Rift Cut White Oak and the Quarter Sawn veneer patterns of Ash, Cherry, Ebony, Fir, Gray Oak, Macasser, Mahogany, Rosewood, Teak and Walnut, plus Birdseye Maple. These veneers are produced from more abundant wood species and created to emulate the natural colors and grain patterns present in each wood. The incorporation of reconstituted veneers is one of several conservation practices employed by Mouser Cabinetry.

Bamboo - Sustainability for the Future Bamboo is a fast growing, efficient plant that is comparable in strength to hardwood trees. Classified as a “grass”, this woody perennial can grow as much as 48 inches in a 24 hour period and matures in less than seven years. Bamboo is a durable, stable and attractive material that does not impact the world’s timber resources when harvested, making it the most sustainable material used by the cabinet industry. The Bamboo products offered by Mouser Cabinetry are assembled using adhesives with no added urea formaldehyde and qualify for LEED credits related to sustainability. six

This kitchen features Premier EuroStyle cabinetry constructed with plywood that has no added urea formaldehyde.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE LINKS Mouser Cabinetry Website - www.mouserc.com KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program (www.kcma.org) KCMA sustainable Forest Beliefs (www.kcma.org) LEED Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (www.usgbc.org) Composite Panel Association Environmentally Preverable Product Program (www.pbmdf.com) EPA Indoor Air (www.epa.gov/iaq/) EPA Lean (www.epa.gov/lean/) Green Home Guidelines (www.nahbrc.org/greenguidelines/index.asp) GreenPoint Rated (www.buildgreen.org/greenpointrated) The Formaldehyde Council (www.formaldehyde.org) seven

2112 N. Hwy 31W Elizabethtown, KY 42701 Ph: 800•345•7537 Fax: 800•472•5889 www.mouserc.com

MCC-ENVSTD/01-17

price: four dollars