Glossary of Terms
Carbon footprint
The total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product. Once the size of the carbon footprint is determined, a strategy can be devised to reduce it.
In an effort to minimize its carbon footprint as much as possible, Skyline Design took a top-to-bottom approach in its development of Greenplay. For example, Greenplay uses only recycled, sustainable and FSC-certified materials. Its Take Back Program allows Greenplay components to be returned for repurposing or donation to community charities.
Composite wood
Derivative wood products manufactured by binding together wood strands, particles, fibers or veneers. Often made from different kinds of woods and sawmill scraps; can comprise processed rye straw, wheat straw, hemp stalks and other products.
Greenplay uses medium-density fiberboard, which is a composite wood.
Cradle to Cradle
Instead of designing products, dumped in landfills at the end of their “life,” the Cradle to Cradle approach defines how we can exist and function waste-free. The manifesto for achieving this model is Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.
Greenplay is committed to the Cradle to Cradle approach by incorporating the complete life of its furniture components, from sourcing materials to manufacturing products and ultimately considering the afterlife upon discontinued use.
Source: mbdc.com
Flat-packed
Also called ready-to-assemble or knock-down furniture, flat-packed furniture arrives in a box or container in multiple pieces and requires assembly. Minimizes packing material, maximizes courier space, increases fuel efficiency and minimizes carbon footprint.
Greenplay products are engineered to ship flat.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
A non-profit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forests. The FSC sets standards that ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable way.
Greenplay uses FSC-certified wood veneer.
Sources: fscus.org
Hazardous substances
Although living organisms require some amounts of heavy metals like iron, cobalt, copper and zinc, excessive levels can cause damage. Heavy metals such as mercury, plutonium and lead are considered to have no benefit to humans, plants or animals.
Greenplay makes every effort to eliminate hazardous substances in its products, such as using vegetable-based stains and urea formaldehyde-free composite wood. Greenplay products are free of toxins listed in California Proposition 65.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Highly-recyclable, durable plastic typically used for consumer packaging (milk, juice, water, laundry products, etc.).
Greenplay uses recycled HDPE made from materials such as recycled detergent bottles that are chipped up and heat-pressed to form sheets of material.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) Green Building Rating System™, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is a set of standards that define environmentally sustainable construction.
Using Greenplay products in LEED projects may contribute to LEED credits:
Indoor Environmental Quality
Credit 4.4
Materials and Resources
Credit 4.1
Credit 4.2
Credit 5.1
Credit 5.2
Source: usbgc.com
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
An engineered wood product formed by breaking down softwood into wood fibers and combining it with wax and a resin binder, forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. The resin binder in standard MDF contains urea formaldehyde.
Greenplay uses only urea formaldehyde-free MDF. All Greenplay forest products comply with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Airborne Toxics Control Measure (ATCM).
Post-consumer materials/waste
Materials or finished products that have served their intended use and have been diverted or recovered from waste destined for disposal, having completed their lives as consumer items. Part of the broader category of recovered materials.
Greenplay offers tabletops manufactured from post-consumer materials and waste products.
Source: epa.gov
Post-industrial recycling
Also called pre-consumer recycling, post-industrial recycling refers to the use of industrial by-products, as distinguished from material that has been in consumer use.
Greenplay offers tabletops manufactured from post-industrial recycled materials.
Source: buildinggreen.com
Rapidly renewable
A resource that can be replenished faster than its rate of consumption. Typically biodegradable and usually but not necessarily low in VOC emissions and generally derived from agriculture. Can be less energy-intensive to produce and harvest.
The LEED system of building certification offers points for rapidly renewable materials that regenerate in 10 years or less.
Sources: buildinggreen.com
continuingeducation.construction.com
Solvent
Common uses for industrial solvents are dry cleaning, paint thinners, glue solvents, detergents and other products. Often they are used in chemical research and technological processes.
Greenplay uses only aqueous-based stains and finishes that are free of industrial-grade solvents.
Take-Back Program
Greenplay will take back its furniture pieces after use to repurpose for charities in the community. Please call 888-278-4660 to find out how to return your used Greenplay furniture components.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
A non-profit organization committed to transforming the way buildings and communities are developed in order to enable environmentally and socially responsible living while improving quality of life. Best known for its LEED rating system.
Skyline Design, Greenplay’s parent company, is an active member of the USGBC.
Source: usgbc.org
Urea Formaldehyde
Pressed wood products such as particleboard, hardwood plywood paneling, and medium-density fiberboard contain adhesives made of urea formaldehyde resins. MDF is generally considered the highest formaldehyde-emitting pressed wood product.
Greenplay uses only urea formaldehyde-free wood products. All Greenplay forest products comply with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Airborne Toxics Control Measure (ATCM).
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Emitted into our surroundings, VOCs vaporize under normal conditions to create ozone, which is harmful to breathe.
Greenplay applies finishes containing only low- or no-VOC emissions. All Greenplay forest products comply with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Airborne Toxics Control Measure (ATCM).
Sources: epa.gov
usgs.gov
treehugger.com
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