|
Designing & Making |
|
News, Sustainability Information & Occasional Offers |
Sustainability in the kitchen manufacturing processNew from Old was recently approached for comments on any or all of the following topics:The general need for sustainability in the kitchen manufacturing process - why it's important. The way manufacturers are addressing the challenge of finding sustainable resources for cabinetry (both in terms of types of materials used and offsetting any timber used). Woods that consumers should look out for - ones to use and ones to avoid - and ecologically sound manmade alternatives. The eco credentials of worktop surfaces, such as stone, synthetic and composite materials, and the available options for a sustainable workshop. This is our response: Sustainability in the kitchen manufacturing process Sustainability is largely about the materials used rather than the process of manufacture, although some processes can be more damaging to the environment than others. Broadly speaking, the more labour intensive a process is, the better it is for the environment. Put very simplistically you can a drill a hole using a brace and bit and use no electricity, or use a CNC machine. The advantages of a CNC machine are speed and accuracy, so any process comes down to profit margin and cost. Self generating heating and electricity Some practices within manufacturing can be described as highly sustainable, for instance, the use of workshop waste and off cuts to heat the workshop, and boiler technology is now advancing a pace so that the boilers can generate electricity as well as heat. Reclaimed Pine and Sustainable Woods The choice of materials can hugely affect how sustainable a process is, and again, broadly speaking, the less processed a material is the more sustainable it is, so solid wood is more sustainable than man made particle boards, but an MDF made without formaldehyde and from forest thinnings (brashings) is more sustainable than a standard MDF, and English Oak, grown from a well managed wood is far more sustainable than a tropical timber, however well managed its growth has been. Here at New from Old, we tend to use only locally grown timbers that are accredited as sustainable, and we never use tropical woods or by products of the tropical timber industry. However, primarily we use reclaimed timber, largely pine. Not only does it rate very highly on the environmental products score, but being reclaimed it comes with character and history in it, which our clients love. Sustainable Kitchen Work Surfaces Choice of work surfaces is a bit of a nightmare, but solid wood must be best. However, not every client is prepared to maintain an oiled worktop so alternatives need to be offered. Again the more processed a material the less sustainable it is, so granite, slate and marble could rate quite highly, but then how damaging the mining operation is to the environment is still unquantified. Worktops from recycled materials such as glass, plastic, stonedust, are all worthy alternatives but for the resins used to cement the fragments together. I don’t believe anyone has as yet directly compared all these available products on a sustainability chart, but it would be an interesting exercise. Posted by: Rick Forward (4:28 AM) Country Fairs 2010Fenland Country FairThis year New from Old will again be exhibiting at the Fenland Country Fair in Stow cum Quy, Cambridgeshire, at the August Bank Holiday. We look forward to welcoming you onto our stand where you will be able to view our traditionally built furniture and see Rick demonstrating some of his joinery methods. Smaller stock items such as corner cupboard, occasional tables, bedside cabinets, and solid reclaimed pine double bed, will be available for immediate sale. Sandringham Game & Country Fair 2010 Saturday and Sunday September 11th and 12th. Open 10am to 6pm both days We shall be exhibiting at the Sandringham Game & Country Fair. If you are looking for an environmentally friendly kitchen, individually designed to meet your needs and to suit your space, or any other piece of furniture from tables and chairs through to dressers and library desk and shelving, then come and meet us on our stand. Or just come and see what we do! Wimpole Hall Christmas Craft Fair We look forward to seeing you again at Wimpole Hall in November this year, dates to be confirmed. We shall have our traditionally built furniture on display and Rick will be demonstrating some of his traditional joinery methods. We shall be happy to discuss your requirements for environmentally friendly furniture, from fully fitted or freestanding kitchens through to beds, library furniture and occasional tables, - or any other furniture you need! Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Royston, Cambridgeshire SG8 0BW www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole Posted by: Rick Forward (6:43 AM) Stock Items for Sale  Occasional TablesThese contemporary design tables are made from solid new Ash hardwood which has been sourced locally from sustainably managed sources. Each table costs £90.   Reclaimed Pine Double BedTraditionally built double bed with slatted base, handcrafted from reclaimed pine timber which has been limewashed to give a pale but warm finish. £515.00
Posted by: Rick Forward (8:38 AM)
|
For further information please Contact Us.