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Product Sustainability
National believes that sustainable development is the basis of our future. Our
initiatives yield meaningful insights to the economic, environmental and social
progress of our company. By prompting changes in policy and practices, we can
focus on creating high performance product while protecting the environment.
We believe that the longer our products are used, the less often they need
replacing. Thus, we focus on developing and building products with long life
cycles. Many of our surface materials, fabrics and finishes can be used across
product lines, allowing customers to grow and change without having to obsolete
current furniture for disposal. We try to create products that can be reused rather
than recycled.
We use only the materials, energy and human resources needed to produce a particular
component or product. We focus on minimizing the impact that our manufacturing operations
have on the environment. Our parent company, Kimball International, is the only major office
furniture manufacturer to own timberland, actively promoting research and education in sustainable
forestry.
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Waste Management And Prevention
In the 1980's, we implemented reduce, reuse and recycle manufacturing initiatives in three primary
areas of waste management - solids, hazardous materials and air emissions. We've invested in equipment,
tests and materials and improved processes to eliminate potential pollution at the source. And we use
safe substitutes for hazardous solvents whenever we can.
We've also maximized reclamation and recycling. Since 1997, Kimball International has recycled or reused
at least 87% of all solid waste generated, keeping 634,170 tons of scrap out of landfills. This "waste"
is finding new life as fencing, auto insulation, landscaping, animal bedding, tackboards, recycled packing
and more. Additionally, our on-site recycling center consolidates reusable materials in more than 15 categories.
Looking To The Future
National, along with Kimball International, will continue to invest in equipment tests and processes to improve
operations and to protect employees and the environment. All manufacturing facilities undergo an annual
environmental/safety audit, conducted as if the most stringent EPS/OSHA professional is performing the inspection.
Our Corporate Environmental Team monitors and inspects all manufacturing plants, and regularly conducts training
sessions on hazardous waste spill prevention, emergency response procedures, containment and cleanup. As a result,
inspectors from states in which we have manufacturing facilities use Kimball International as an industrial benchmark
for environmental compliance and procedures.
Environmental Awards & Membership
United States Green Building Council (USGBC)
Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA)
Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Vehicle Idling Program for Cleaner Air
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay Partner
ISO 14001 / Environmental Management System
Greenguard Environmental Institute
Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Certified Facilities:
- Jasper, IN Showroom - LEED Gold
- Chicago Showroom - LEED Silver
- New York Showroom - LEED Certified
- Orange County, CA - application pending for LEED Silver
- Research & Design Team Rooms Jasper, IN - LEED Certified
Print Version of National's Sustainability Information
Kimball International Environmental Policies
Jasper Showroom Leed-CI Gold Certified
National's corporate Showroom in Jasper, Indiana has earned the achievement of gold level LEED-CI
(Commercial Interiors) certification. The recent showroom renovation incorporated many energy
performance components, such as skylights and low-VOC, as well as a large focus on reducing
landfill waste during the project to achieve the LEED certification.
LEED certification points were awarded during the renovation of the showroom for
"Construction Waste Management" and "Innovation" with 96.5% of the construction waste diverted
from landfills, far exceeding the 50% necessary for the project.
Many materials in the previous showroom were reused in other Kimball International facilities
or donated to local museums, hospitals, churches or fire departments. Materials for the new
state-of-the-art showroom were selected based not only on their aesthetic contribution to the
space, but also on their sustainable content. Office furniture and other products chosen for
the renovated Corporate Showroom location were selected based largely on the product's
environmental friendly nature or Greenguard certification.
National's achievement of LEED-CI Gold Certification was recapped in both the March 2006 Interior
Design and March 2006 Today's Facility Manager publications.
Click here to read the online March 2006 Today's Facility Manager article
Click here to read the March 2006 Interior Design article
Chicago Showroom Leed-CI Silver Certified
National Office Furniture is also pleased to announce its Chicago showroom has earned the Silver
rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI). The rating
testifies to interiors that are healthy and productive places to work, less costly to operate and maintain,
and reduce environmental footprint.
The National showroom is located downtown at 325 N Wells Street, across from the Merchandise Mart. The
space encompasses approximately 5,000 square feet with 15 vignettes that showcase National furnishings
in an earth-friendly environment.
"We are extremely pleased to be recognized for what we have accomplished," says Don Van Winkle, Vice President,
General Manager. "Our showroom provides striking proof of how materials, furnishings and decor
can follow principles of sustainable design to create an interior that is bold, inviting, and warm."
To realize its ambitious design objectives, National enlisted the aid of TVS Interiors, Inc. - known
throughout the industry for its progressive interiors and work with Fortune 100 firms.
To meet stringent LEED-CI standards, National applied its commitment to environmental stewardship. Project
managers developed innovative strategies to increase the effectiveness of recycling efforts. They also
worked to share details of the project with clients, providing an educational resource on "green building"
design and environmentally friendly products.
National's achievement of LEED-CI Silver Certification was recapped in the Fall 2006 i4design publication.
Click here to read the Fall 2006 i4design article
National invites you to see for yourself how naturally beautiful interiors can take shape with wonderful
results. Visit National's Chicago showroom Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm.
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