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Composite Wood Furniture


Description

Engineered wood, also known as composite wood, is man-made and includes a range of wood products that are bound together by adhesives. Plywood, particleboard, MDF and OSB are examples of composite wood. These products often use wood waste from large production facilities which reduces the waste stream. Adhesives should be examined for VOC and urea-formaldehyde content.


Tips

O+M Tips

  • Use cleaning chemicals and solutions that are Green Seal certified
  • Dust with micro fiber cloth regularly

End of Life Tips

  • If in good condition, furniture can be donated to organizations like Habitat for Humanity that will reuse them.
  • To recycle old furniture contact the manufacturer or visit Earth911.com to determine the capacity of local facilities.

For alignment with LEED Standards

  • Regional Materials: For credit achievement calculation, products sourced (extracted, manufactured, purchased) within 100 miles (160 km) of the project site are valued at 200% of their base contributing cost.
    • BD+C and ID+C MR: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Sourcing of Raw Materials and Material Ingredients
    • O+M MR: Purchasing - Facility Maintenance and Renovation
  • Certified Wood: Wood-based products and materials that are certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council's principles and criteria contribute to a credit.
    • BD+C and ID+C MR: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Sourcing of Raw Materials
    • O+M MR: Purchasing - Ongoing
  • Resins: Composite wood and agrifiber products must be documented to have low formaldehyde emissions that meet the California Air Resources Board ATCM for formaldehyde requirements or contain no added formaldehyde resins.
    • BD+C and ID+C EQ: Low-Emitting Materials
    • O+M MR: Purchasing - Facility Maintenance and Renovation
  • Low-Emitting Furniture: New furniture and furnishings must be tested in accordance with ANSI/BIFMA M7.1-2011 and comply with ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 Sections 7.6.1 or 7.6.2.
    • ID+C EQ: Low-Emitting Materials
    • O+M EQ: Purchasing - Facility Maintenance and Renovation