FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bradco Kitchens and Baths announces their FSC Certification
Bradco Kitchens and Baths earned a Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody certification
July 29, 2008 - Los Angeles, CA – Bradco Kitchens and Baths, a manufacturer of custom, formaldehyde-free cabinets, has earned a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain-of-Custody certification.
Bradco has always made their cabinetry from formaldehyde-free wood sources, even before it was popular. In fact, Michael Kienzl, President/CEO of Bradco Kitchens and Baths, was a member of the Formaldehyde-Free Coalition. This grass roots organization was integral in getting legislature passed for the California Air Resource Board (CARB) to begin regulating the amounts of formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products (particleboard, MDF and hardwood plywood).
As the company grew, Bradco researched the many wood options available and learned that there was more he could do to ensure a high quality, non-toxic product. “Today’s customers are well educated” says Kienzl. “They not only want non-toxic cabinetry, they also want to make sure that their purchase has the least environmental impact. Our FSC certification provides a way for our savvy customers to support sustainable practices through their purchasing decisions.”
The FSC certification ensures that the wood used in Bradco’s custom cabinetry can be traced back to the forest where it began and has been independently inspected and evaluated according to environmental, social and economic principles.
Why use sustainable wood?
In general, wood is a more eco-friendly choice of raw building material. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the leading gas contributing to the greenhouse effect. Trees “breathe” CO2. They store the carbon-C and release the oxygen-O2. Most cubic meters of wood have about 0.8 to 0.9 tonnes of CO2.
1 tonne CO2 = 556,000 litres or 556 cubic meters (about the volume of a 3 bedroom house)
On average, 1.1 tonnes CO2 emissions would be produced for each cubic meter of a manufactured material such as plastics, glass or other materials that aren’t eco-friendly. So by selecting wood over a less eco-friendly product you are essentially saving 2 tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.
In addition, if you select wood from a sustainable source and with the FSC certification, you are ensuring that you are purchasing wood from forests that are not over harvested and that the workers, communities and indigenous people benefit from the forestry operation, and their rights and interests are protected. The wood is being replaced by new growth and you are keeping the earth safe and habitable for humans for years to come.
About Bradco Kitchens and Baths
Bradco Kitchens and Baths is committed to manufacturing high quality, affordable cabinetry with the least environmental impact. Bradco produces a variety of formaldehyde-free, custom cabinetry and vanities from ultra-modern to old world style. Bradco is dedicated to using environmentally friendly products, materials and production techniques and seek out suppliers who have the same commitment.
About FSC
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization that encourages the responsible management of the world's forests; setting standards to ensure forestry practices are environmentally and socially responsible as well as economically viable. The development of forest management standards, a “chain of custody” (COC) certification, and independent auditors provide recognition and value to products bearing the FSC label in the marketplace. This allows customers to put their trust in the FSC label. Over 70 countries around the world have forests that have been certified to FSC standards. FSC-US is the U.S. chapter of FSC International, based in Bonn, Germany.
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