ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS

Walls

Introduction

NRDC uses two basic kinds of environmental wall systems: solid compressed straw panels and synthetic gypsum wallboard sandwiching steel studs. Straw walls are found in about 60% of the space, while the synthetic gypsum is in the rest. Gypsum was used in certain areas because the District of Columbia's building code limits the amount of contiguous space that can be built using "combustible" materials, and requires the use of non-combustible materials for egress corridors.

Compressed Straw Walls

Product Description
One of the D.C. office's most innovative features is the use of a solid straw wall system pioneered by Stramit International. The 2¼ inch thick EnviroPanel (standard gypsum office walls are 3 inches thick) is made by tightly packing wheat straw using high pressure. While under pressure, the straw is heated to 240° C, releasing a natural resin in that binds the fibers together. Each 4' by 8' panel weighs roughly 175 pounds. The paper facing used by Stramit was 100% recycled content and is attached using a water-based non-toxic glue.

Environmental Benefit
Sixty million acres of wheat are grown in the U.S. each year. After the wheat grain is harvested, straw^[4] is an environmental disposal problem in agricultural areas, because there are few uses for it besides small things, such as animal bedding. Currently most of the straw is disposed of by open air burning, which causes severe seasonal air quality problems over large regions of the country. What is not burned is tilled back into the soil. Conventional walls made of gypsum requires mining in open pit mines, which can affect water quality, biodiversity and forest cover.^[5] We estimate that the mining of 2,130 cubic feet of gypsum was avoided by using the Stramit walls.

Performance and Cost
The finished product installs more quickly using less labor than a conventional wall system because there are no studs and only one panel, making the Stramit wall system about $0.30 per square foot of floor area less expensive to install by itself. It is, however, slightly more expensive to install electric and communication wires in the panels than a conventional wall, making the total cost of these two options similar. Also, because they are solid instead of hollow, the Stramit walls have better sound attenuation and are more insulating from heat and cold because they are solid, making rooms quieter and more comfortable.

We discovered that the Stramit walls were very thirsty for paint, in some cases even requiring five coats to achieve a satisfactory coverage.^[6] We solved this problem by using a prime coat called Sheetrock First Coat made by U.S. Gypsum Co. This product contains drywall 'mud,' which is the compound used to seal conventional wallboard installations. It only has 20 g/l of VOCs and contains no carcinogens. This paint was not absorbed into the strawboard walls as was the other prime coat.

Other Considerations
Although technically a flammable material, compressed straw is very resistant to burning because of its high density. In addition, the manufacturing process adds Borax as a fire retardant. Though the product is still in the national code application process^[7] here, it has passed a number of fire tests both here and in the United Kingdom. It has a flame spread rating of 60 according to the ASTM E-84 test, and has a Class 2 fire rating. It also passes the ½-hour fire test in the U.K..

The Stramit product has been successfully used for many different applications in more than 20 countries for over 25 years. Despite its success overseas, NRDC's office is the first application of this technology in a Class 1 commercial project in the United States. Unfortunately, due to a series of problems, the U.S. company that produced panels is not making the Stramit product, though it is currently available from overseas at a higher cost. However, production of the straw panels is expected to resume in the near future. Several new factories manufacturing similar products are being pursued in Iowa, Utah, Texas and other states and may have commercial product available again before the end of 1996.

Where to Get It
For more information about obtaining manufactured straw wall systems,^[8] please contact the Alternative Agriculture Research and Commercialization Center at the U.S. Department of Agriculture at (202) 690-1633. For the Sheetrock First Coat product contact U.S. Gypsum at (800) 874-6675.

Synthetic Gypsum Walls

Product Description
Where building codes required gypsum to be used, we purchased wallboard manufactured with 100% synthetic gypsum that is an industrial byproduct of titanium dioxide^[9] manufacture (other sources of synthetic gypsum include by-products of power plant pollution scrubbers). The recycled gypsum wallboard is faced with recycled paper.

Environmental Benefit
This eliminates the need to quarry an additional 4,680 cubic feet of gypsum and avoids the disposal of a similar amount of titanium dioxide manufacturing byproduct.

Performance and Cost
The only price differential NRDC paid for the 100% synthetic gypsum product was the shipping cost. Normally, recycled gypsum commands a 10% price premium over standard gypsum. The price of this material will likely vary depending by region and the proximity of a plant dedicated to manufacturing wallboard with 100% synthetic gypsum. The only performance difference is that the 100% synthetic product tends to have a lower moisture content and therefore is a little "thirstier" for paint. An additional coat of primer or finish paint may be required to get the desired coverage, depending upon local weather conditions (more humid climates may not encounter this problem).

Other Considerations
The environmental impacts of transporting materials is significant. In this case, we made a conscious effort to demonstrate a 100% recycled product, even though we had to have it shipped from Georgia where there is a plant dedicated to manufacturing with synthetic gypsum that is co-located with the titanium dioxide facility. There was a Baltimore plant that produces wallboard with some recycled gypsum amount, but they could not guarantee that it could ship the 100% recycled material. Raw and synthetic gypsum must be shipped to the Baltimore plant, which makes up for some of the "excess" transportation pollution caused by specifying the material produced in Georgia.

Where to Get It
NRDC obtained its 100% recycled gypsum wallboard from Domtar Corporation, which was recently acquired by Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, (800) 327-2344.

Doors

Product Description
A 1.25 inch version of the compressed straw EnviroPanel was used as the core of all the interior office doors. The straw core doors are covered with pressboard facings made from wood particles to provide a smooth, paintable surface, one of the few uses of wood in the space (See below for a discussion of office wood use.)

Environmental Benefit
By selecting straw-core doors, we estimate that NRDC avoided using approximately 2 trees worth (270 cubic feet) of particleboard that would ordinarily be used to make the door cores. In addition, there are the air quality benefits from using the straw that are the same as the wall system.

Performance and Cost
The doors are very solid and have superior sound attenuation compared to conventional particleboard doors. Because the doors were custom made using the straw core material, they were slightly more expensive, 13%, than mass-produced doors.

Other Considerations
The non-standard thickness of the straw walls made acquiring commercial grade door frames somewhat problematic. Door frames in a narrower gauge were available at a slight premium (also 13% extra), but they were the same width as the walls, which required some routing of the walls to make the frames fit.

Where to Get It
For more information about obtaining manufactured compressed straw products, please contact the Alternative Agriculture Research and Commercialization Center at the U.S. Department of Agriculture at (202) 690-1633.

Paints

Introduction

NRDC used two different kinds of paint throughout the new office space. The office hallways and public spaces are finished with Aegis, a water-based textured paint from Polomyx Industries, while all of the interior spaces are painted with Kurfee's Fresh Air formulation from Kurfees Coatings Inc.

Product Description
Aegis is a coating that has pigmented enamel (oil) particles suspended in a water solution to cause the speckled effect, but contains no heavy metals or other carcinogens. Aegis contains 100 grams/liter (g/l) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which is significantly better than standard products containing over 550 g/l and complies with the Green Seal standard of 100g/l for flat interior paints, though the paint does not have Green Seal certification.

Kurfee's Fresh Air formula is almost completely free of VOCs, containing only 5 grams/liter, only 1/100th that of a conventional solvent-based interior paint. As a result, it is virtually odor free. The Kurfee paint also contains very low quantities of insecticides and biocides that are added to paints to prolong shelf life.

Environmental Benefit
Outdoors, VOCs are a key element in forming ground-level ozone, which is a serious contaminant affecting lung performance. Indoors, VOCs are chemical irritants that in elevated amounts can cause headaches, nausea and respiratory problems. VOC problems are greatest just after occupying a new space when all of the new materials are off-gassing. As recounted by NRDC staffer Jacqueline Hamilton, NRDC's office did not experience any problems with indoor air quality:

"Late in pregnancy I found that even moderate chemical smells made me quite sick, and I dreaded the possibility of moving to a new office with all of the attendant new-construction smells. I was also concerned about the effect such chemicals might have on my baby. Working in NRDC's newly painted and furnished space never gave me a moment's problem, which made me much more productive (and less worried) than I would have been in a normally outfitted new office."

Performance and Cost
The contractor reported no problems with applying Polomyx's Aegis paint and the coverage is what one would expect from a standard spray-on interior paint. The Aegis costs the same as its standard spray-on textured paint. The Kurfee's Fresh Air was reported to be 'a little thin,' which required an extra coat in some instances. Kurfee's does have a very high solid content and shows superior performance in wear tests when compared with other environmental paints. The cost of the Fresh Air paint was about $7.50 more per gallon, only about 2 cents per square foot of floor area more expensive than standard commercial paint.

Other Considerations
Kurfees is manufactured within 500 miles of NRDC's office, thereby reducing the environmental damage associated with transporting the product.

Where to Get It
Distributors for the Aegis Waterbased Multicolor can be found by calling the Polomyx division of Surface Protection Industries International at (800) 544-4046. Kurfee's Fresh Air paint distributors can be found by calling Kurfees Coatings Inc. at (800) 626-6407.

Flooring

Carpet

Product Description
NRDC installed Amber Waves nylon carpet produced by Interface Inc., which contains a small amount of recycled nylon and is solution dyed. The structured backing of the Interface carpet only requires the application of adhesive at the seams joining the carpet. This environmentally-friendly adhesive, designed by Interface specially for their carpet contains no chemicals that are reportable under SARA Section 313 "Toxic Chemicals, Extremely Hazardous Substances."^[10] The carpet also contains Intersept, a proprietary anti-microbial agent.

Environmental Benefit
Carpet represents a significant component of the waste stream and NRDC did not want to be part of that problem. Interface shares this concern, and launched a program to deliver old carpet for recycling in DuPont's carpet nylon recycling program. Started in 1991, DuPont's innovative program can now recycle 100% of all nylon carpets, avoiding the incineration or landfill disposal of any material.^[11] Interface's commitment to recycling as much of its carpet as possible at the end of its useful life was one important environmental feature considered, as was Interface's corporate commitment to environmental improvement of its manufacturing processes. For instance, solution dyeing dramatically reduces toxic water pollution that results from conventional dyeing processes.

Having a non-toxic adhesive reduces chemical exposure to the installers, as well as avoids releases of undesirable chemicals into the indoor (and eventually, outdoor) air, maintaining good indoor air quality. The Intersept anti-microbial agent is integral to the carpet and should not be released to the indoor environment under normal circumstances. Microbial contamination has been implicated in sick building syndrome and as a contributor to poor indoor air quality.

Performance and Cost
The Interface Amber Waves carpet costs about 15% more, installed, than a standard heavy-duty nylon carpet. Excepting the environmental benefits of the carpet, we expect it to perform and hold up like any other standard commercial product.

Other Considerations
We chose nylon carpet over recycled PET (soda bottles) carpet because PET can only be recycled once, while nylon theoretically can be recycled indefinitely. Unless one signs up for the Evergreen Lease, it still costs something to get the carpet taken away to be recycled at the end of its life. At least the money goes to having it hauled away for reuse, rather than to the landfill.

Interface has been an industry leader in reducing emissions and waste in its manufacturing process, having a goal to eliminate waste in its manufacturing facilities and becoming a "sustainable company" by the year 2000. Interface is the first company to incorporate a "product of service" approach to building materials through its Evergreen Lease program. The "product of service" concept focuses on carpet, not as a commodity that is purchased by and the responsibility of the consumer, rather as a service ("floor-covering") that is the responsibility of the manufacturer. Under the Evergreen Lease program, Interface will remove old carpet for recycling and replace it with new carpet indefinitely.

Where to Get It
Local carpet distributors can be found by calling Interface at (800) 336-0225

Linoleum

Product Description
In the two kitchens and copy rooms, a natural linoleum floorcovering is used in place of conventional vinyl tiles. The linoleum is made out of mostly natural or organic materials including linseed oil, pine rosin, wood flour, and cork flour, with a backing made from Jute, a fibrous plant. Dry pigments that are ground from clay and chalk are the only non-organic ingredients used in the product.

Environmental Benefit
The most common alternative to natural linoleum are vinyl tiles (which are often also referred to as "linoleum"), and their manufacture involves the use of chlorine compounds. Emerging research implicates these chlorine compounds as hormone imitators that may be endocrine disrupters and harm fetal development. NRDC considered this aspect to outweigh the negative environmental aspects of linoleum production, mainly high energy requirements to bake the material and to transport it from Europe. A low-VOC adhesive reduces contaminants to the indoor air, maintaining good air quality for the occupants.

Performance and Cost
Natural linoleum has a 20-30 year life expectancy and is considered to be as durable as vinyl tile. Because natural linoleum is only manufactured in Europe, its cost is about 60% higher than vinyl. However, resurgent interest in the product could eventually result in domestic production and lower cost, including reduced transportation energy consumption.

Where to Get It
Several companies in the U.S. distribute linoleum tile. We purchased ours from Hendricksen Naturlich, which can be reached at (707) 824-0914.

Tile

Product Description
The Alabaster tile in the reception and stairwell areas of the office, made by Stoneware Tile (a division of Terra-Green Industries), contains almost 70 percent post-industrial and post-consumer glass. 18 percent of this glass is post-consumer, with the balance, 49 percent, being post-industrial. The post-industrial content includes ground up windshields and plate glass from the aerospace industry; post-consumer glass includes many heavy types of glass such as jar glass.

Environmental Benefit
The recycled glass used in NRDC's 300 square feet of tile will eliminate the need for about 1,050 pounds of sand, clay and cement that would go into producing normal ceramic tiles, and could save a comparable amount of glass from a landfill. Energy to produce the tile is also lower due to reduced firing requirements because of the use of recycled glass products.

Performance and Cost
The tile was as easy to install as conventional tile and the low toxicity adhesive worked very well. Alabaster tile costs about the same as conventional ceramic tile.

Where to Get It
Distributors for Stoneware Alabaster tile can be obtained through Terra-Green Industries by calling (317) 935-4760.

Ceiling Tile

Product Description
EKTA ceiling tiles, made by Armstrong World Industries, were selected by NRDC for the suspended ceiling. In addition, EKTA tiles contain 23 percent recycled cellulose, with the remaining material being mostly perlite (a material made from volcanic rock) and a starch binder. Ceiling tiles that contain much higher recycled content are available, but they invariably have significant mineral fiber content.

Environmental Benefit
The principal reason for selecting this make of ceiling tile was the fact that it did not contain mineral fibers, which is one of the most common components in these products. The building air conditioning system uses the plenum (space above the ceiling) as a return route for the circulated air. NRDC was concerned about the "friability" (becoming brittle and breaking off) of mineral fibers in ceiling tile could allow them enter the air stream and have potential asbestos-like effects.

Performance and Cost
NRDC's D.C. office was the second space to install this product, and there were some structural stability problems with the originally-specified thin profile (9/16ths inch) tile that were causing it to warp. As a result, we specified the thicker version (15/16ths inch), which did not have that problem. Ironically, the thicker ceiling tile was less expensive than the thinner tile had been. Currently, only the thicker profile tile is available. This product installs for about 1.65/sq. ft., which is approximately 15% greater than a conventional ceiling tile system.

Other Considerations
There is no evidence to suggest that offices which currently have ceiling tiles containing mineral fiber pose a health risk to people working there. However, there are indications that mineral fiber or glass fiber products, such as fiberglass, do deteriorate over time leading to friability problems.

Where to Get It
Armstrong World Industries Building Products Division can be reached at (800) 448-1405 for local distributors of the EKTA tile.

Cabinets and Shelving

Introduction

NRDC demonstrated several products for use as shelving and countertop substrate (the material underneath the finish or laminate). These products include Wheatboard, Gridcore and Medite II. These products mostly serve as substitutes or replacements for wood-based products containing toxic resins, such as plywood or particleboard. Over 95% of the conventional plywood and particleboard uses in the office were replaced by environmentally-preferable alternatives.

Product Description
NRDC's office was one of the first spaces in the country to demonstrate the use of Wheatboard, an agricultural product produced by PrimeBoard. Wheatboard serves as a medium density fiberboard (MDF^[12]) substitute in NRDC's cabinets, shelves, and countertop substrates. Wheatboard is manufactured using agricultural waste from wheat straw bound together with formaldehyde-free MDI (Polymeric Diphenylmethane Disocyanate) binder resins. The cabinets and shelves are laminated with conventional plastic laminate that is attached using non-toxic, water-based adhesives.^[13]

Gridcore, from Gridcore Systems International, is manufactured from recycled junk mail and water-based adhesives, was used as the substrate for the countertops in the fourth floor copy room, though it has a lot of other architectural applications besides use as a substrate. Gridcore, made with a honeycomb core, is 80% lighter than particleboard, but just as strong, providing lower freight costs and conserving natural resources during manufacture and transportation. In a few instances, Medite II, a formaldehyde-free wood-based MDF -- made by the Medite Corporation -- and conventional plywood were also used for things such as drawers in the custom millwork.

Environmental Benefit
As a result of using these products in our cabinets and shelves, we eliminated the use of another couple of trees worth of wood for making particle board (250 cubic feet), avoided toxic formaldehyde emissions to our indoor air,^[14] as well as reduced the air quality problems resulting from burning excess wheat straw. Using water-based glues and adhesives reduces off-gassing and improves indoor air quality for NRDC staff.

Performance and Cost
Due to the longer fibers, the Wheatboard actually has greater strength and stability than conventional particle board. On a board-foot cost, the Wheatboard costs about 5% less than conventional MDF. Gridcore costs almost five times as much per square foot as particle board, while delivering superior performance. Similarly, Medite II costs about three times as much on a board-foot basis, but costs of the Gridcore and Medite have been coming down as volume increases.

Because none of the large stock cabinet and shelving companies use any of these products as a regular material, the installed products were double the cost of conventional mass-produced shelving and cabinets, mostly due to the custom labor involved. Material costs were a relatively minor factor (about 5%), and in the case of the Wheatboard, a cost savings. However, the costs of these products should come down dramatically if consumers begin to demand that the big cabinet makers, such as Merilat, use these environmental components in their products.

Other Considerations
All of these products are fast growing in popularity, though the number of fabricators accustomed to working with them is limited. Consult with the manufacturer regarding fabricators who work with the product to ensure you get the quality and price that you want.

A limited supply of Gridcore, due to high demand and the expansion of their California production facility, prevented NRDC from using it more extensively in the office. The expansion is due for completion at the beginning of October and product will be available nationally through Weyerhaeuser and Laird.

Where to Get It
Wheatboard is available from PrimeBoard Inc. Call (701) 642-1152 for more information. For more information about Gridcore please call (310) 901-1492. And call the Medite Corporation at (541) 773-2522 for information about Medite II. Franklin International is reachable at (800) 877-4583.

Wood Products

Product Description

In addition to demonstrating office construction techniques that reduced wood use, NRDC also wanted to showcase products made from wood harvested from independently certified well-managed forests. Because no conventional furniture suppliers offered products made from certified wood, NRDC commissioned its built-in, conference room and waiting area furniture to be custom-made.

The reception desk, built-in credenzas in the two conference rooms, the conference room wall trim, stairwell railing, and conference room table, chairs and waiting area furniture were all built using red oak from a certified forest in Pennsylvania owned by Kane Hardwood, a division of the Collins Pine Company. In addition, certified cherry wood also is used for the frames of NRDC's artwork.

The Kane Hardwood forest is certified as "well-managed" by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), a California-based certification firm. Conducted independently from the logging industry, the certifier's review examines whether the performance of on-the-ground forestry operations satisfies principles and criteria set by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). NRDC is a long-standing member of the FSC, which is the international organization that accredits forest certification bodies like SCS and the Rainforest Alliance's "Smart Wood" program. Certification provides impetus for foresters to adopt integrated good-practice management techniques.

Virginia-based Park Woodworking made all of the built-in furniture and the stair railing.^[15] The conference room and reception area furniture was made by The Loft Bed Store, a cabinetmaker and retailer based in northern Virginia.^[16] The furniture was fabricated using mechanical fastening and/or non-toxic water-based glues, such as Franklin Titebond Wood Glue made by Franklin International. The conference room and waiting area furniture was finished with Livos Meldos Hard Oil, which is manufactured from linseed oil with other natural products.

Furniture cushions were made from ecological fabrics from the William McDonough Collection from DesignTex fabrics. This material represents a breakthrough in environmental manufacturing where the industrial and chemical processes used to create the fabric were designed from scratch.

Environmental Benefit
The major environmental benefit from certified well-managed forests is that natural forest structures are better maintained. Independently certified forests are the antithesis of "cut-and-run" logging practices that cause ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, air and water pollution, destruction of natural scenery and economic instability. For forests to obtain Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, timber harvesting operations must meet environmental performance standards that promote conservation of primary forests, protection of threatened and endangered species, soil erosion control, water pollution prevention, and use of non-chemical pest management systems. On well-managed forests, the amount of wood removed is not allowed to exceed replenishment rates. FSC certification criteria also require that forest management must respect the rights of indigenous peoples and enhance the social and economic well-being of local communities.

The fabrics were created through work with a Swiss mill and Ciba-Geigy, to formulate a set of dyes that used no toxic chemicals, no heavy metals, no carcinogens, mutagens or teratogens. In addition, the manufacturing process itself was designed to be "effluent-free." In fact, when the effluent water from the plant was tested, it was found to be cleaner than the drinking water coming in to the plant. The fabric is made from natural materials, wool and ramie, a linen-like plant, so no oil or other non-renewable resources are used as feedstock. The cloth is biodegradable and will not leave harmful residues after decomposing.

Performance and Cost
There was a 20% cost premium for these woods compared with conventionally-produced woods of the same species.^[17] Since the material was about 25% of the total cost of the furniture, the certified wood only increased the final price by about 5%. The DesignTex fabrics perform better than and are comparably priced to high-end designer wool fabrics, but are about twice as expensive than heavy-duty synthetic fabrics commonly found on office furniture.

Where to Get It
The Good Wood Alliance and the Smart Wood Program each have extensive lists of direct sources of suppliers, woodworkers and forests dealing with or producing certified wood. The Good Wood Alliance can be reached at (802) 862-4448 and the Smart Wood Program can be reached at (212) 677-1900 or (802) 434-5491. Franklin International is reachable at (800) 877-4583 and the Livos oil can be found through the Eco Design Company at (800) 621-2591. For information about William McDonough fabrics call DesignTex at (800) 221-1540.

Countertop Work Surfaces

Product Description
Most of the countertops throughout the office are finished with a material called Environ that is produced by Phenix Bio-Composites. Looking something like marble and feeling like plastic, this composite is made up of 40% "post print pre-consumer" newsprint, 40% soybean flour, and 20% color accent and proprietary adhesives. In this instance, a solvent-based adhesive had to be used to attach the Environ to the Wheatboard substrate. This furniture was first cured in the shop before being installed at NRDC.

Environmental Benefit
The product is made using natural and recycled materials, avoiding the depletion of non-renewable resources. In addition, Environ provides a high value-added end-use for agricultural products, which can help rural communities to survive. However, current soybean production processes are chemical and hydrocarbon intensive. We hope that more sustainable forms of cultivation are found for this component of the product. Also, it is possible to recycle the product at the end of its life, however, currently Phenix does not have a program to do so.

Performance and Cost
Environ comes in several colors and attractive patterns and garners a lot of attention. Because the product is so sensitive to moisture it must be finished with a clear acrylic or some other waterproof finish. In addition, water-based glues cannot be used to adhere it to a substrate, since it will affect the product's composition, which is why we used a solvent-based adhesive. These moisture-related issues are being worked on by the manufacturer. It is also fairly expensive ($8.00/sq. ft), being comparably priced to an exotic tropical hardwood, though higher production volumes should bring the cost down over time.

Other Considerations
It is very important that the fabricator used has experience working with this product. Though Environ's working characteristics are similar to wood, it has some idiosyncrasies. Field experience indicates that Environ is sensitive to local indoor environmental conditions and needs to acclimate to the surroundings. For example, excess humidity causes warping of the material if it is not properly adhered to a surface before acclimatizing.

Where to Get It
Call Phenix Bio-Composites at (800) 324-8187 for more information about the Environ product.

Notes

4. Straw is distinct from hay, which is a generic name for dried grass and is edible as an animal feed source.

5. Gypsum, the chemical compound hydrous calcium sulfate (CaSO4), is a soft, gray to white-colored mineral that is the principal ingredient in the manufacture of plaster and wallboard. Normally quarried in open pit mines, "natural" gypsum is then transported to factories where the product is refined and turned into wall board.

6. The paper used in the manufacturing process was designed to be absorbent for the direct application of drywall "mud" as a finishing coat. A different, less absorbent, type of paper should have been used for a paint finish.

7. Product ratings from BOCA and ICBO, the two principal national code oversight bodies, have been applied for.

8. Technical information about the manufacturing process may be obtained from Stramit International, located in England. Please call 011-44-1473-890-264 or fax 011-44-1473-890-803.

9. Titanium dioxide is the principal compound used to whiten a wide variety of products, including paints.

10. Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) section 313 requires industrial facilities to report toxic releases to the environment of a certain magnitude to the public under the TRI or Toxic Release Inventory.

11. DuPont will separate and recycle all three components of NRDC's carpet:

• Nylon, which makes up most of the carpet, will be recycled by DuPont for use in carpet or other nylon products. In addition to recycling the type of nylon it makes, DuPont can recycle the different types of nylon manufactured by other firms.
• Polypropylene, the plastic used to make the carpet backing, is separated and given to companies who produce polypropylene for use as post-consumer recycled content.
• Latex, glue, dirt, and other substances make up the remainder of the carpet. This waste is sold or given to nurseries, which use the byproduct successfully as ordinary dirt.

12. Particleboard is a form of MDF

13. Franklin Titebond Wood Glue made by Franklin International was used here. Cost-effective environmental substitutes to plastic laminate in this application are not currently available in the marketplace.

14. Formaldehyde, classified as a potential human carcinogen by the EPA, is a serious eye, nose and throat irritant and is a significant contributor to indoor air quality problems in many buildings, so eliminating this chemical produces cleaner indoor air. The glues bonding the shelf and cabinet laminate are water based and non-toxic, which also has indoor air quality benefits.

15. Park Woodworking may be contacted at (703) 550-0331.

16. The phone number for The Loft Bed Store is (703) 643-1044.

17. The acreage that is being certified as well-managed is growing and costs may decrease over time as availability increases.