Photo courtesy of Stor-X featuring their Eco-SystemTM
Just searching for my clothes in the morning can give me a headache. I can never find where I put anything. Does this sound like you? Thinking about remodeling your closet with a closet system that can take that “where did I put those shoes I need for today” frustration out of the way? Don’t replace your lack of organization with a new problem caused by a closet system that contains urea-formaldehyde.
Most closet systems are made of particleboard, which is an engineered product made of wood waste. Its core is bonded together with a urea-formaldehyde resin, and overlaid with a melamine exterior. So how is a harmless closet system with formaldehyde going to harm me?
“Formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas, can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing in some humans exposed at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million). High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. There is evidence that some people can develop sensitivity to formaldehyde. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Health effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions. May cause cancer. May also cause other effects listed under ‘organic gases.’ EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System Profile.
Many houses today are built tighter for energy efficiency. In addition, our houses contain furniture, shelving, insulation, and cabinets which all contain formaldehyde increasing our exposure to formaldehyde. “All wood has some naturally occurring formaldehyde. But more formaldehyde is added to composite wood in the form of certain resins, which are used to bind wood particles together,” according to April 2007 news release of The California Air Resource Board. So you ask, what is a girl going to do now?
Are there Green Closets Systems Out there?
Yes Virginia, there are indeed three green closet companies that I have encountered in the last couple of years: Stor-X, California Closets, and Terra Cabinets. Over this week, I will be featuring a post on each of these closet companies. Up first is Stor-x, so hang on to your non-plastic hangers…
STOR-X, A Canadian Company Who Is No Stranger to Green Closet Systems
When we were building our house a couple of years ago, I knew that most closet systems were made out of particleboard, which is comprised of wood waste bonded together with a urea-formaldehyde resin. It was near impossible to find a green alternative but my husband by accident and dumb luck found STOR-X Organizing Systems (“STOR-X”), located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada mentioned in a remote article. They produced closet systems made out of Wheatboard, which was a particleboard made by Dow out of wheat. It was bonded together with a phenol formaldehyde resin, which emits a low level of formaldehyde. Dow no longer distributes Wheatboard and STOR-X is currently evaluating and manufacturing closet systems using three other environmental friendly alternatives, SkyBlend, Arreis, and Encore.
SkyBlend melamine is manufactured by Roseburg Forest Products and is a particleboard comprised of 100% pre-consumer recycled wood fiber. The boards contain a phenol formaldehyde resin. This resin is used to bond the particleboard’s core together and the melamine exterior to the board. “Third party testing verifies that Roseburg SkyBlend formaldehyde emissions (.00-.01ppm) are no greater than levels occurring in outdoor ambient air conditions,” according to Roseburg.
Arreis, a sustainable designed fiberboard, is a medium density fiberboard board made by Sierra Pine. It contains a formaldehyde free resin and 100% recycled post industrial wood waste. According to Sierra Pine, Arreis “meets the most stringent formaldehyde emission standards in the world.” The third product, Encore, is a brand new sustainable designed fiberboard from Sierra Pine. It is an environmentally friendly particleboard that contains a phenol formaldehyde resin, emits very low levels of formaldehyde, and is made out of recycled post industrial wood fiber. According to Sierra Pine, Encore is the only particleboard on the market toady that meets the ANSI specifications for classification as M-3 Industrial Particleboard due its physical properties and is environmentally friendly. One of its assets is its strength.
The third product, Encore, is a brand new sustainable designed fiberboard from Sierra Pine. It is an environmentally friendly particleboard that contains a phenol formaldehyde resin, emits very low levels of formaldehyde, and is made out of recycled post industrial wood fiber. According to Sierra Pine, Encore is the only particleboard on the market toady that meets the ANSI specifications for classification as M-3 Industrial Particleboard due its physical properties and is environmentally friendly. One of its assets is its strength.
All three products qualify for LEED credit in the construction of new buildings.
STOR-X prides itself on their hands on approach. Their factory is right down the hall from their engineering team. The Company engineers each unique closet system right in their factory based on the specifications their dealers throughout North America submit. They are working towards having multiple dealers in every state. Although their dealers are not listed on their website, you may contact STOR-X for the location of the dealer nearest your location. At present there is very little on the website as to their green option except in their FAQ section.
If there is not a dealer near you, STOR-X can configure the closet systems for you based upon architectural plans and measurements. With any carpentry job, always measure twice. In my case, at the time, there was not a dealer near me. We submitted our architectural drawing to them, and STOR-X designed all the closet systems. Our carpenter rechecked all the closest system measurements again before STOR-X started the systems. My carpenter remarked how easy it was to put up the systems.
Since STOR-X has added more dealers since I purchased my closet systems, you should be able to avoid measuring yourself or installing yourself. We have had our closet systems for two years, and they still look as good as they did when we installed them.
Next, California Closets-Even the Big Storage Boys Are Going Green
Related Posts:
California Closets-Even the Big Storage Boys are Going Green
Terra Cabinets, a Socially Responsible Company Where Greening Your Closets is a Priority
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- Terra Cabinets, A Socially Responsible Company where Greening Your Closets is a Priority
- California Closets–Even the Big Storage Boys are Going Green
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matt risinger says
That’s awesome that CA Closets is offering a low formaldehyde option! Be sure to check your cabinet maker’s plywood & casework for this same level of off-gassing. You want to see that your plywood meets the E1 standard or better.
Green Talk says
Thanks Matt for the comment. I am going to give Matt a plug since I checked out his website, http://www.risingerhomes.com. Risingerhomes out of Austin, Texas just received a 5 out of 5 star rating in the Austin Energy Green Building program for their first home built by this company. Congrads Matt!
Matt, we look forward to more comments from you as you impart your wisdom for our readers. You will particularly like the upcoming post on Terra Cabinets, who produces both eco-friendly cabinets and closet systems.
candita says
Love this conversation regarding green closets. I am a closet designer, professional organizer and author. I am currently looking for companies that are producing earth friendly closet systems so that I may recommend these companies to my clients and potentially develop a relationship with them. This was just the information I was looking for. Keep it coming!
Anonymous says
California Closets going green? Hmm, you might not want to believe everything you hear. There is a fear about the “green” message within CC Corporate, in that it will then become apparent that the core of their product line (and business) is NOT green, and actually proven to be harmful and potentially cancer-causing. Does this sound like resposible leaders or dishonest cowards?
Green Talk says
Anonymous-the core of California Closets is not green. It is my understanding that California Closets is not going totally green but offers a green alternative if the client requests it. I can’t comment on the rest of your comment because I have no idea what is going on in their corporate headquarters. Could you elaborate further as to why this green division would threaten CC corporate or the basis of your comments. It would be very helpful to Green Talk readers.
jesus figueroa says
I used to work fo califonia closets and Iam really glad Iam out of there I wish I could sue them for all that formaldehyde. I inhale while working there its true the watery eyes the headaces. its poison dont buy it they are a ripoff any way over priced junk
Alan Miller says
I represent a client who was poisoned by UF (Urea Formaldehyde) which gassed off from a closet installation. If you know any customers who have experienced similar problems, kindly furnish their contact info or have them contact me. Thanks, Alan
Shelley says
I am having problems with a closet installed that is making me sick. I would be interested in speaking with you. Please contact me at samarmon@comcast.net.
Raul says
I’ve read that bamboo makes an excelent green closet because it can be harvested every 3-7 years and a pole of Bamboo can self generate to it’s full state, in 6 months!. It is also very durable and sturdy.
Radon says
I am pleased I stumbled on this site, as to be honest I had not even thought of “green closets”. I mean, I think, when we renovated our home it was somewhere in the thinking, but not overtly.
I am fortunate that I have a room with my clothes hanging and a cupboard for my smaller items. I also have timber boxes for my favorite pieces, including hats , scarves and shoes. These timber box shelves were taken from a disused shop. We just hung them on one complete wall. Would you say this is green thinking? as it natural and its recycled too!
Shelving says
I would not say I get a headache, but I certainly could scream when I cannot locate that particular item that is hidden in the dark space of my robe. I do like the idea of boxes and compartments as described by Radon. Great idea!