JASPER, Ind.—Kimball Office announced it has received a prestigious Green Good Design award for its manufacturing facilities in Post Falls, Idaho and Jasper, Ind.
“For more than 40 years, Kimball Office has taken a holistic approach to sustainability and producing environmentally friendly contract office furnishings,” says Jeff Fenwick, vice president and general manager of Kimball Office. “We strive to protect the environment by continuously identifying methods to reduce waste, water usage and carbon emissions in our manufacturing facilities, and ensuring our showrooms and business practices follow our culture of sustainability.”
Over the past few years, both facilities have undergone several sustainability initiatives, including converting from a liquid paint to a powder coating in the Post Falls facility. This change reduced the amount of hazardous waste generated from hundreds of tons per year, to one 55-gallon drum every 18 months, which saves the facility more than $300,000 per year in hazardous waste disposal costs.
The Jasper facility began applying its proprietary, water-based UV finish Pura to nearly all wood-based products. Pura contains virtually no volatile organic compounds, meets or exceeds indoor air quality standards set by Scientific Certification Systems and the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association, and overspray can be recovered and reformulated to circulate back into the finishing system.
The Green Good Design award acknowledges organizations, architects, individuals, products and programs that strive to impact consumers’ habits, restructure manufacturing practices and influence the design of public spaces. The awards are organized by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.