Come Home to Green. With Cabinetry from Plato Woodwork. The Intelligent Choice in Custom Cabinetr y Since 1893

Transcription

1 Come Home to Green With Cabinetry from Plato Woodwork The Intelligent Choice in Custom Cabinetr y Since 1893

2 Green fast facts Plato s superior quality cabinets are built to last, reducing the need to be replaced and thus using fewer natural resources. All Plato products meet stringent California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards for formaldehyde emissions. Plato Woodwork is ESP (Environmental Stewardship Program) Certified by KCMA (Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association). One of the first national companies to introduce bamboo cabinetry. Built in a clean, state-of-the-art factory in Minnesota by conscientious workers dedicated to reducing, reusing, and recycling materials. Plato participates in an Xcel Energy off-peak program to avoid energy shortages during peak-use periods, which in turn delays construction of new power plants. Available MDF construction an engineered wood product made from recycled and recovered wood fiber that meets CARB emissions standards. Other low or no added formaldehyde case materials are available upon request. Dedicated to the use of sustainable materials, such as lumber that is primarily domestic and from forests that are replanted for use by future generations.

3 Green has never been just a word at Plato Woodwork. It s been our way of life, since 1893.

4 We understand that the future of our natural resources and the quality of life they afford are dependent upon how we do business today. Five generations of the Pinske family have owned and actively managed Plato Woodwork. Each generation of master craftsmen has been committed to environmental stewardship that means we constantly strive to deliver the highest quality custom cabinetry while making responsible business decisions that will have a positive impact on our environment. Lyptus, a hardwood, comes from the eucalyptus tree. It grows quickly in nontropical climates and may be harvested in years. It is comparable in appearance to mahogany and cherry. This new Plato door illustrates a distressed finish on lyptus, which brings out its fine grain, dramatic figure, and rich color.

5 KCMA ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP CERTIFICATION Making investments in energy technology for a cleaner and Greener future Taking our place as a 21st-century leader in Green custom cabinetry. Plato Woodwork is pleased to have received the KCMA (Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association) Environmental Stewardship Certification. The Environmental Stewardship Program was developed to enable cabinet manufacturers to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to sound and sustainable environmental practices in the production of their products in areas that impact the environment and their community. Certification emphasizes our commitment to established environmental policies, improving waste management, green purchasing policies, recycling, and community relations.

6 Environmentally Friendly Cabinet Materials Plato uses sustainable materials in the manufacture of its cabinets. The lumber is primarily domestic and comes from forests that are replanted for use by future generations. We were one of the first national companies to introduce bamboo cabinetry. Bamboo is a fast growing renewable resource, a grass that is harvested and renews itself in three to five years. Plato s MDF (medium density fiberboard) core plywood meets CARB (California Air Resources Board) stringent emissions standards. It is typically made from finely ground wood and is sourced from either small, fast growth trees or from the recycled waste from lumber mills, saving virgin forests and helping preserve our environment. The topcoats and sealers used by Plato are low VOC (volatile organic compounds) and HAP (hazardous air pollutants) compliant. The Plato Personalized Custom program allows for the specification of alternative materials to meet the particular needs or parameters of individual jobs or projects. Please check with your Authorized Dealer for availability and pricing.

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8 Pursuing Continuous Environmental, Health, and Safety Improvements Plato s cabinets are built in a clean, state-of-the-art facility in Minnesota by conscientious workers dedicated to reducing, reusing, and recycling materials. Within our facility, our standard practice is to recycle aluminum cans, cardboard, and office paper. New brochures are printed on recycled paper. Even our INOVAE Woman s Day Kitchen of the Year marketing banners are printed on material made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. The primary health concern with cabinetry has been off gassing or the VOCs given off by the product. Plato s topcoat is a low VOC, HAP s compliant product. We use water-soluble and hot melt glues, both of which are solvent free. We are in the process of replacing plant and office lighting with bulbs and fixtures that consume significantly less energy. Plant safety and the health of our employees have always been of primary importance to Plato Woodwork. We have an on-site health and wellness program designed to prevent workplace injuries. With leadership provided by a health care professional, employees are encouraged to participate in an on-site ergonomic training program to specifically prevent repetitive task injuries.

9 Diminishing the waste stream Plato s marketing of character woods and rustic finishes allows Plato to utilize knotty lumber. For instance, the use of cherry lumber s natural defects in its Character Cherry product allows us to get maximum yield (minimum waste) from our cherry lumber. Wood waste from production is ground up into sawdust and recycled by local farmers for use as cattle bedding. After that use, it can be processed as sawdust-amended compost and used as organic fertilizer. Optimizing software used on CNC machines increases plywood yield and minimizes waste Plato installed distillation units in the paint department that allow us to extract and recycle solvents, resulting in a 75 percent reduction in solvent purchases. The cardboard used in packaging every Plato cabinet is made from recycled material and can be recycled once again. Our cardboard supplier has an affiliated company that collects used cardboard from consumers and businesses, thus closing the recycling loop. Plato continues its efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials whenever possible.

10 A Quality Product that Lasts a Lifetime Since 1893, Plato Woodwork has earned its reputation for superior quality cabinets that last longer, needing to be replaced less often, and thus being much more environmentally friendly. Our lifetime warranty is an indicator of the pride we take in building quality into every cabinet as well as our belief in its durability.

11 Green is a work in progress As we explore new materials and processes, we also continue to look for ways to increase our production capacity and efficiency while maintaining our current footprint. We recently changed from gas-fired drying ovens to high efficiency electric infrared ovens that work on a motion detector and are on only when needed. This change not only resulted in direct energy savings, but freed up additional floor space that will allow us to increase production without the added environmental impact of building and heating additional square footage. The State of Minnesota is a leader in terms of stringent environmental requirements. We are committed to operating in compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental laws. At your request, Plato Woodwork can use FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified lumber to build your cabinetry. Although our shop is not certified at this time, we can purchase wood from FSC certified suppliers and reserve it for your order. We would guarantee that no non-certified wood would be mixed into your project. Becoming more green is a work in progress, and Plato is dedicated to it.

12 With cabinetry from Plato Woodwork... You can have peace of mind, knowing you re protecting the health of your family, promoting the welfare of your fellow man, and preserving the environment for future generations. The Intelligent Choice in Custom Cabinetry Plato Personalized Custom means that Plato Woodwork s flexibility allows for the specification of alternative materials to meet the particular needs or parameters of individual jobs or projects. Please check with your Authorized Dealer for availability and pricing. You can select from one of Plato s standard wood species or use Plato s SelectWoods program to specify virtually any wood species. Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association Environmental Stewardship Program All products impact the environment. For ESP program criteria, visit greencabinetsource.org. Made in the USA Copyright 2014, Plato Woodwork, Inc