Choosing Sustainable Kitchen Cabinets

I find cabinetmakers to be among the most skilled and engaged tradespeople. In the green building industry this quality is elevated with creative and innovative techniques for harvesting and crafting wood into kitchen components. Just like with other home finishes, there’s more to sustainable kitchen cabinets than meets the eye.

With any building material, its greenness should be considered by investigating the material origins, the method of harvest, the chemicals imposed during manufacturing and the products impact on workers and communities. Kitchen cabinets that are sustainable employ practices that protect people and the environment, both at home and in the mill.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a prevalent voice in cabinetry. The FSC seal certifies a sustainable chain of custody that protects forest for future generations and encourages socio-economic growth. With kitchen cabinets, and any wood product, look for the FSC seal.

In addition to FSC, some cabinet makers are using sustainable forestry practice locally which cuts down the embodied energy from transporting lumber. Fallen trees, dead, diseased or “nuisance” trees can all be used as cabinet components. When interviewing a cabinetmaker, inquire if any of these strategies go into their wood sourcing. You may be surprised to learn that the wood in your cabinets will be from a storm clean-up last year.

Building a new home? Find out if your cabinet maker will use the prime trees that were cleared on site to make your dream kitchen. You could even see horses being used to haul logs out instead of tractors as many makers are opting for this low-impact, petroleum-free method of clearing trees.

In lieu of virgin wood consider wheat-board cabinets. Wheat-board is a particle board made form waste wheat straw. Made from a renewable resource, wheat-board uses the straw waste after harvest. This strategy benefits farmers with extra income for a product that would otherwise go to waste.

Wheat-board starts as fine particles which are then pressed and bound together with a resin. Wheat may sound bland but only in its benign nature. The materials are a great choice for indoor air quality concerns and can be formed into beautiful custom designs. Just be sure that the resin used in your cabinets is formaldehyde-free.

As far as bamboo cabinets go I’m not yet sold. Yes, the raw material is renewable but bamboo carries some other environmental and social burdens. Better choices exist among salvaged, reclaimed, FSC-certified and particle board cabinet varieties.

*Note: The information in this article is general advice and not meant as a substitute for personal guidance from a financial advisor, real estate professional, general contractor or legal counsel. Although the author is a licensed realtor, the advice given in this article does not constitute any client contract or agreement between the author and the user. The author is not responsible for any losses, damages or claims that may result from your decisions.