Green Cabinets

What are Green Cabinets?

Renewable wood products are the primary material for cabinetmaking. Cabinetmakers support practices that assure sustainable supplies of the primary resource utilized by them. As the developer of the industry performance standard for cabinets (ANSI/KCMA A161.1) 36 years ago, now it is fitting that the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) add environmental sustainability to its established program to measure and assure product durability. KCMA promotes sustainability and encourages industry suppliers to participate in recognized programs such as Sustainability Forestry Initiative, American Tree Farm, Forest Stewardship Program, and others. The association has developed a new certification program, the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP), to enable cabinet manufacturers to demonstrate their commitment to sound environmental management and sustainable practices.

Designed to encourage industry policies and practices that benefit both the environment and the well-being of society, ESP provides companies with tangible ways to support sustainability in the areas of air quality, resource management, environmental stewardship and community relations. Companies qualify for official ESP certification by accumulating 80 out of 105 possible points in these different categories.

All ESP-certified companies are awarded the ESP seal to display on their products. The ESP seal lets consumers, builders, architects, and others know they are supporting sustainability when they buy or specify ESP certified products. Whether preserving much needed resources or providing yet another reason to buy certified products, sustainability is good business.

Benefits

In addition to helping ensure the future of both the environment and our industry, you'll enjoy the following benefits of the Environmental Stewardship Certification Program (ESP):

• The status and prestige of being among the first to participate in a program setting a new standard in sustainability.
• Recognition on the KCMA website, www.kcma.org.
• Technical advice and assistance from KCMA staff to help keep your company in compliance, or in case of failure, assist you in returning your company to compliance.
• Use of the Environmental Stewardship Program seal for display on your cabinets as well as in advertising and promotional literature.

How the Program Works

The Environmental Stewardship Certification Program will be administered similar to the existing ANSI/KCMA A161.1 performance standard for cabinets. Any manufacturer of pre-finished, factory-engineered cabinets may participate. Companies do not have to be KCMA members to participate. No testing is required, but documentation and certain records (all kept strictly confidential) will be necessary to verify compliance. Certification will be awarded on an annual basis and is based on compliance in five categories. These categories contain 18 different criteria with a total of 105 possible points. We realize that every manufacturer may not be able to comply with every category or criteria due to factors such as size, infrastructure and location. Therefore, only 80 points are required for ESP certification. The breakdown of required points by category is as follows:
Air Quality - 30
Product Resource Management - 30
Process Resource Management - 20
Environmental Stewardship - 15
Community Relations - 10
Participants "self-certify" by completing and returning the appropriate reporting forms with supporting documentation, signed by the person responsible for completing the forms. Forms and documentation should be returned to the KCMA Director of Certification, 1899 Preston White Drive, Reston, VA 20191.