Business Interiors is concerned about the environment and the effect its processes have on the lives of its customers and employees.  Business Interiors strives to minimize the environmental impacts of its operation and complies with applicable environmental regulations.  Business Interiors will actively seek out improvements, which reduce pollutants. 

Environmental policy Practices and Guidelines

Raw Materials 

All of Business Interiors Products stains, sealers and topcoats meet or exceed the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s (BAAQMD) requirements for VOC content.  The water based stains have VOC content less than half of that which is allowed.  Business Interiors Products are currently exploring water based topcoats with suppliers and are also testing topcoats which would require fewer layers to be applied, thereby reducing the volume of material used and the pollutants emitted from the process.

All of Business Interiors Product adhesives meet or exceed the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s (BAAQMD) requirements for VOC content.  The laminate adhesive emits only one fifth as many VOC’s as the BAAQMD allows.  Business Interiors Product adhesives also meet the Green Seal Standard for Commercial Adhesives (GS36) for limits on carcinogens, persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic compounds, and VOC’s.

Business Interiors Products use acetone as it’s primary cleanup solvent, and as a coating component where no water based alternative yet exists.  The EPA has determined that acetone is not a VOC, and does not contribute to the deterioration of the ozone layer.

Business Interiors Product coatings and adhesives contain less than 1 percent formaldehyde (a toxic contaminant).

Business Interiors purchases its raw materials in the largest containers practical, in order to eliminate excess packaging. Business Interiors also reuse the containers onsite, thereby reducing waste.

Water Resources

Business Interiors is one of the few wood product manufacturers in the Bay Area to apply for and receive a Strom Water Discharge Permit.  A key feature of the permit is the preparation of a Pollution Prevention Plan.  Business Interiors monitors and samples its storm water discharge to ensure harmful contaminants are not entering the storm water system and reaching the bay.

Waste Minimization  

Business Interiors ships its products in long lasting, reusable blankets and padding. Business Interiors has steadily reduced the volume of waste shipped to landfills over the past two years.  Waste has been reduced by 90 percent since 1990. Business Interiors recycles sawdust, cardboard, plastic and motor oil.

Air Emissions

Business Interiors tracks its emissions of air pollutants to ensure compliance with the permit issued by BAAQMD.
Since 1999, Business Interiors has reduced its emissions of POC’s precursor organic compounds, a type of VOC by 40 percent.  Business Interiors emissions are only half the amount allowed by their permit.