Thruway Hardwood and Plywood Corp. “Going Green”

Thruway Hardwood and
Plywood Corp.
“Going Green”
All information gathered by: Gwendolyn A. Bork
Specification Representative specializing in “Green” products and “Sustainable” Design
This information was concluded in May of 2008, thus will not reflect the constant
changes that are taking place as we speak in Green Development.
Throughout my research on Green Building and how we, as your local distributor, can help fulfill
the needs of the A & D community as well as the mill shops who will be working with our products, the more
I began to see a line drawn in the sand between “Green” and “Sustainability”. Due to the “Green Washing”
that is taking place right now in the industry, it is our responsibility to use whatever resources we have
available to discern whether or not a product is green or not. Even when products meet certain
requirements, there is still the question of whether or not extracting that product or making the product has
not effected the social aspect of the region in question. At this point in time, if our clients are not requiring
of us to meet LEED requirements but would like us to practice those standards and incorporate those
methods into a privately funded project, before we start we need to ask them one thing: What is more
important, to be “Green” or “Sustainable”? Sustainable Development is a pattern of resource use that aims
to meet human needs while preserving the natural environment so that these needs can be met not only in
the present, but in the indefinite future. The term was used by the Brundtland Commission which coined
what has become the most often-quoted definition of sustainable development as development that "meets
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.“
The Brundtland Commission, formally the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED),
known by the name of its Chair Gro Harlem Brundtland, was convened by the United Nations in 1983. The
commission was created to address growing concern "about the accelerating deterioration of the human
environment and natural resources and the consequences of that deterioration for economic and social
development." In establishing the commission, the UN General Assembly recognized that environmental
problems were global in nature and determined that it was in the common interest of all nations to establish
policies for sustainable development. The less demand we have on other countries and the more we
supply to our local area markets, the more profitable our nation will be and by using the resources made
available (wind, solar, geo-thermal) that this planet was equipped with, the more secure our children’s
future will be for a place to live, not just survive. Everyday we make a choice that affects the face of our
future, let it be selfless not selfish.
Why “Green”? Why now?
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LOOK AT THE HEADLINES!!
The U.S. is facing a number of issues that has finally come to forefront of all our
discussions
The Energy Department estimates the nation’s energy demand will increase more
than 25% by the year 2020
Residential and commercial buildings in the U.S. expend 42% of total energy
consumption on Heating and Cooling
Within 15 years, renewable energy could be generating enough electricity to power
40 million homes and offset 70 days of oil imports
Oil has reached record highs, effecting the pricing of transporting goods which also
effects the end cost of a product in the building industry.
When the cost of oil goes up, production costs increase and profits reduce for
industries who depend on oil
Methanol shortages and increasing costs of urea that is added to particleboard, MDF,
and laminated panels, has caused the cost of those products to rise dramatically
American Forests organization reports that the U.S. could offset 20-40% of it’s carbon
dioxide emissions by increasing carbon storage by 300-600 million tons per year
which would require a comprehensive plan to plant trees, improve forest
management practices, and discover alternates to wood and biomass fuels
Legal supplies of wood fiber fall short of demand by up to 40 million cubic meters per
year. Illegal logging makes up for 70% of that demand, in 10-20 years 40% of intact
forests will be gone
WE DECIDE OUR FUTURE
From the ones who pass legislation federally to the ones
who control local government;
we are the people and the people still have time to act,
it begins right here in our own backyards with the
resources already made available.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
or the Green Building Rating System is a third party
certification program intended to guide green construction.
It is now up to us to put into practice methods that can help
the generations who depend on us to make decisions for
tomorrow today!!
THE GREEN INITIATIVE OF N.Y.
August 2007: The N.Y. State Dormitory Authority announced that beginning
in 2008, all new State construction projects and major renovations
managed by the Dormitory Authority will meet LEED (Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design) standards established by the United
States Green Building Council.
August 2007: Former First Lady Spitzer announces that the Legislation will
offer incentives to home-owners who build or renovate homes that meet
Green Building criteria. The incentive will depend on the size of the
home, capping at $10,000 and will in turn offset the 5% increase in
construction costs when “green” or “sustainable” features are
incorporated.
Summer of 2007: a comprehensive environmental and energy agenda has
been referred to as the “15x15” plan: reduce energy use by 15% from
forecasted levels by the year of 2015. By using the standards
established by the U.S. Green Building Council and the Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), N.Y. can achieve reduced
emissions, energy costs, and decrease carbon imprint.
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21-26 points = Certified
27-31 points = Silver
32-41 points = Gold
42-57 points = Platinum
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Sustainable Sites (7 possible points)
Water Efficiency (2 possible)
Energy & Atmosphere (12 possible)
Materials & Resources (14 possible)
Indoor Environmental Quality (17 possible)
How can Thruway Hardwood help the A&D
community as well as our local Fabricators
“Go Green”?
We supply materials that meet the standards set by LEED under the
M&R and EQ sections; if you can design it we can supply it.
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Recycled Materials: 10% or 20% post-consumer + ½ pre-consumer (MR credit
4.1, 4.2)
Regional Materials: 10% or 20% Extracted and Manufactured Regionally or
within 500 miles (MR 5.1,5.2)
Rapidly Renewable Materials: products and materials that can be harvested
within a 10-year or shorter cycle (MR 6)
Certified Wood: certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and supplied by a
distributor who is also FSC certified (MR 7)
Low-emitting Materials: Adhesives and Sealants used in the building interior
have to meet standards set by the South Coast Air Quality Management
District and the Green Seal Standard GC-36 requirements (EQ 4.1)
Low-emitting Materials: Composite Wood and Laminate Adhesives that
contain no added urea-formaldehyde (EQ 4.4)
Products and Applications:
Introduction
“At Thruway Hardwood and
Plywood we strategically set into
place manufacturers by location
and capacity to maximize our
product potential.”
Veneers
• FSC certified (MR 7)
• Located within 500 miles (MR 5.1 & MR 5.2)
• Any true wood veneer available unless
endangered
• Reconstituted or Composite veneers
• Rapidly renewable (bamboo) MR 6
• Custom Laid Veneers on Plywood: Diamond
match, Reversed Diamond, Sunburst,
Herringbone, Book, Slip, and Random Match
• Various backers: wood on wood, phenolic back,
peel and stick, 10 mil, 20 mil, and 30 mil back
• Wall panels, conference tables, fine furniture,
high-end cabinetry, columns
Veneer Cuts
RIFT SLICE
Commonly used for Red and White Oak,
Rift cut can be easily sequenced and
matched, by cutting a slight angle to the
radial to arrive at a quartered
appearance without excessive flake.
ROTARY
Similar to unrolling wrapping paper, this
is the most economical method of
producing veneer, resulting in the
highest yield. This type of veneer is best
suited for paint grade or utility surfaces.
Veneer Cuts
PLAIN SLICE
The most common method of veneer
manufacturing, used mainly in
architectural plywood which produces a
grain pattern known as cathedral.
Ideally suited for wall panels, furniture
and store fixtures.
QUARTER SLICE
Similar to the Plain Slice, this cut
requires the largest diameter logs and
produces straight grained veneers,
often resulting in the appearance of
flake.
Custom Plywood
• FSC certified (MR 7)
• Located within 500 miles (MR 5.1 & 5.2)
• Veneer one side, thermally fused melamine on
other
• Custom laid designs on individual panel
• Various cores to choose from: fire rated,
moisture rated, no urea or formaldehyde added,
marine grade, foils 1 or 2 sided (EQ 4.4)
• Custom panel face matching
• Wall panels, cabinetry, fine furniture
Matching Panel Faces
Running Match
Balance Match
Pattern of the veneer face will continue to
the next sheet after a specified sheet size
Each panel face is made with an odd or
even number of veneer pieces but
balanced within the panel
Center Match
Panel consists of an even number of
veneers, equal widths, matching faces,
center of panel is center of panel
Melamine
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Thermally fused laminate to either MDF or particleboard
Located within 500 miles (MR 5.1 & MR 5.2)
100% recycled and recovered wood fiber (MR 4.1 & 4.2)
Compliant with formaldehyde emission standards, EPP
and CPA compliant (EQ 4.4)
• Can specify a laminate for your countertops and use the
melamine to match for all fixture or vertical applications
• State of the art finishes to add to the trueness of every
design and its’ application
• Largest manufacturer in the world located in Canada is
supplying all their melamine with no-urea or
formaldehyde added substrates as well as FSC
Mystera Solid Surface
• Made in the U.S.A.-Oklahoma (MR 5.1 & 5.3)
• Mystera exceeds all testing data from NSF, and ISSFA
for durability etc.
• Mystera will retain all it’s durability throughout the life of
the building it is put into, surface is renewable
• If the requirements to existing building structure and
shells are met, Mystera products used can contribute
LEED points
• The adhesives and seaming products used in Mystera
installations have low VOC emissions and fall within the
current standard set by Most Air Quality Management
Districts in the U.S. (EQ 4.4)
Pionite High Pressure Laminate and
FRL (Fiber Reinforced Laminate)
• HPL (all horizontal applications conceivable)
• Recycled Content: 3-5% post-industrial recycled content and 0%
post-consumer recycled content (MR Credit 4.1)
• Local/Regional Materials: plant is located in Auburn Maine
(MR Credit 5.1)
• Pionite laminates are Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified
(EQ
4.5)
• 80% of Pionite sold is for Commercial applications
• A variety of finishes available including embossed Slate, embossed
Leather, and Ashwood (wood finish)
• FRL (durable, impact resistant, Class A Fire Rated, wall panels)
• Recycled Content: 1-3% post-industrial recycled content and 0%
post-consumer recycled content (MR Credit 4.1)
• Local/Regional Materials: product made in Auburn Maine facility
(MR 5.1)
• Low Emitting Materials: Fiber Reinforced laminates are Greenguard
Indoor Air Quality Certified (EQ 4.5)
Greenguard Certified Pionite
Products
• Markerboard
• High Pressure Laminate
• Micastat (Electrostatic Dissipative Laminate) used where staticsensitive electronic components are manufactured or assembled as
well as any areas in a hospital or clean rooms where the surface
cannot attract dust or dirt particles
• Pearlescent (printed with Metallic and Pearlescent inks) used in low
abrasion areas only
• ChemGuard (Chemical Resistant Laminate) chemical resistant
throughout the laminate used in photographic darkrooms, nurses
stations, medical, dental, veterinary clinics
• Thick Phenolic Core (laminate available in thicknesses up to 1”)
toilet partitions, tabletops, doors, workstations, wall panels, desktops
• MelCor II (Color-through Laminate) color through the core
construction good for hi-wear applications since gouges will not
readily show
Chemetal Decorative Metal
Laminate
• Made of aluminum, aluminum is the most recycled
material on the planet
• Mainly Vertical applications or light Horizontal
• Average 50-80% recycled content with 100% preconsumer
• Recycled Materials (MR Credit 4.1 & 4.2))
• Plant located in Easthampton Massachusetts
• Regional Materials/within 500 miles of project site (MR
Credit 5.1)
• Low Emitting Materials-Adhesives and Sealants (EQ
Credit 4.1)
• Columns, wall panels, elevator walls, wainscoting
Caution: Beware of Green Washing
• Use the LEED standards as a tool to either confirm or
deny a “green” product line
• All LEED standards depending on the type of build or
remodel are downloadable on the U.S. Green Building
Counsel website (www.usgbc.org)
• The GreenSpec Directory is a resource of products that
are “green”
• Utilize a data base called “The Pharos Project” designed
to provide comprehensive product analysis and ratings on
what an environmentally sustainable product should be.
Pharos also tried to compare existing products to that
ideal
• EcoScorecard.com, LEED product database, searchable
by information submitted by manufacturers
• RateItGreen.com, environmental evaluation of community
opinion
• GreenHomeGuide.com, reviews and advice on residential
builds
GreenSpec Directory: Product Standards
• Products made with Salvaged, Recycled,
or Agricultural Waste Content
• Products that Conserve Natural
Resources
• Products that Avoid Toxic or other
Emissions
• Products that Save Energy or Water
• Products that contribute to a Safe, Healthy
Environment
Green Product Certifications
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FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative)
ATFS (American Tree Farm System)
CSA (Canadian Standards Association)
Green Guard-Indoor Air Quality Control
EPP (Environmentally Preferred Products)
Green Label and Green Label Plus
Floor Score
Indoor Advantage
Energy Performance Certification
Energy Star
Verified Directory
Water Sense
Green Seal
Eco Logo
Sustainable Choice
C2C (Cradle to Cradle)
Smart Certified (Sustainable Materials Rating Technology)
“Supplying standards for the future in our materials today!”
Proud Distributor of Karran solid surface sinks, Lansen stainless steel sinks,
Mystera Solid Surface (Made in U.S.A.), Chemetal, Tree Frog, Slotwall,
Specialty Hardwood Plywood, Veneers, Tafisa Melamine, “Green” products
Members of the U.S. Green Building Council
FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) Certified
Provides wood from monitored forests to prevent illegal deforestation and
reduce our carbon imprint
Strategically set into place manufacturers by location and capacity to maximize
product potential with “Green” products
Promotes local businesses and American produced material
Privately owned and operated, we have a local perspective enabling us to
personally service our clients
Highly educated professionals in building “Green”, making the process of
LEED building effortless and invigorating
Servicing New York, Canada, and Pennsylvania
Personally servicing Architects, Designers, Kitchen and Bath dealers, Home
Centers, Home Builders, Fabricators, and Millwork shops
Sustaining and protecting our natural resources is our responsibility. With everyone’s help and
cooperation, the Western New York business community can take responsibility and action to reestablish
nature’s balance.