For one thing, it is difficult to agree on what “green” really means. Did you know that apples grown in New Zealand produce lower carbon emissions than apples grown in the US (according to Michael Specter, New Yorker science and technology writer)? In the cabinet industry, many companies characterize bamboo as an eco-friendly material. While bamboo is unarguably a quickly regenerating plant, making plywood of it is a high-impact manufacturing process. Most bamboo ply is made in China, which relies heavily on coal-generated energy. So while it has its merits, is it fair to call bamboo “sustainable?” Others suggest that “urea formaldehyde-free” can make anything “green” — even particle board — which may end up in a landfill much sooner than plywood.
At Sozo Studio, we take the approach of combining common sense materials with smart construction techniques that minimize waste and human energy to produce kitchens for a lifetime of use and enjoyment.
Plywood is by far the largest component of a SOZO Studio kitchen.
It
is the best material available for cabinet construction.
The plywood we use is
- Renewable
- Recyclable
- Sustainable
- Natural
- Long-lasting
- Locally sourced
- Easy to work with (much lighter yet stronger than MDF or particle board)
- Urea formaldehyde-free
- Compliant with California Air Resources Board Emission Standards
- Forest Stewardship Council-certified
- Qualifies toward LEED-certification points
Our veneers
- Are available from a selection of self-sustaining wood species, some of which are FSC-certifie
Our construction method...
- Results in a product that will last many years
- Minimizes waste (frameless cabinetry like Sozo Studio's ours has a higher yield than traditional face frame construction)
- Does not build in obsolescence
Our kitchen design
- Incorporates high efficacy LED light fixtures
- Is timeless and created to be enjoyed for its design — not replaced