ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Cabinetry by Karman is proud to be a certified member of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer’s Association’s Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP). The ESP program establishes a measurable benchmark for environmental excellence.  This certification validates our adherence to high standards for air quality, product resource management, process resource management, environmental stewardship and community relations. Cabinetry by Karman, along with our parent company, Wellborn Cabinet, Inc., have committed to recertify annually as the program adopts new industry standards and practices. Cabinetry by Karman’s demonstrated commitment to the Environmental Stewardship Program offers our consumers the assurance they are purchasing products from a company that values environmental responsibility.

MATERIAL USE

Cabinetry by Karman is committed to reducing waste through improved use of material. Steps have been added into our manufacturing process, while more time consuming, allows us to reduce our levels of scrapped hardwoods and reduce the amount of material going to our landfills. We have seen a 6.5% improvement in material yield in the last year alone. This equates to approximately 4 tons of material that have been eliminated from our waste stream since 2008.

HAZARDOUS WASTE

In 2007, we challenged ourselves to make major strides in the reduction of hazardous waste from our finishing operations. Working with all employees involved with finishing materials, we educated them in the value of environmental friendly practices and trained them in improved methods to accelerate waste reduction. Equipment was purchased that would aid in the reduction of batch sizes to reduce potential hazardous waste scenarios. We are now seeing exciting lows in our hazardous waste generation and are generating only .009 gal per cabinet produced in 2009. Additionally, equipment was purchased to recycle and reuse waste solvents. Solvents are now reprocessed in house and reused within our manufacturing operations.

CARB-COMPLIANCE

Karman veneers, particle boards, and MDF core products are all compliant with the California Air Resource Board’s stringent air quality standard substantially lowering the level of formaldehyde emissions from these products . We are working diligently to surpass CARB standards within the cabinet industry.

RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE WOODS

We at Cabinetry by Karman are committed to maintaining viability of the nation’s forests. We purchase lumber from suppliers that are dedicated to a structured sustainable forestry program whenever possible.

RECYCLING

We have extensively trained our staff and leadership in proper recycling practices. Since June of 2008 we have seen a dramatic reduction in the overall waste associated with our manufacturing operations. We have tracked this reduction carefully and have realized a 63% reduction in waste per cabinet built. This reduction has come through proper recycling of office supplies, processing materials, and wood products.  During the past year Cabinetry by Karman has recycled:
        540 tons of hardwood scrap and sawdust
        15 tons of cardboard
        93 loads of used paper plastic and scrap metal

WOOD SCRAP UTILIZATION

Karman has partnered with several local businesses that use our wood scrap to generate energy.  The bulk of our scrap is recycled to produce fuel for a broiler at a food processing plant.  A portion of our clean, hardwood scrap is used by a small local business to make pellets for wood burning stoves. We also donate a portion of our hardwood scrap to the University of Utah to be used as fuel for the kilns operated by the Ceramics Program in the College of Fine Arts. 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

Cabinetry by Karman successfully maintains a perfect environmental compliance record with State and Federal agencies. Additionally, Cabinetry by Karman supports sound environmental practices including using green products whenever possible, minimizing the quantity of waste our processes generate and responsibly recycling those wastes we are not yet able to eliminate.