Sustainability

Sustainability is a complete workspace philosophy. In order to create a better society we must focus intently on creating a responsible atmosphere. Our green initiatives are based on four categories:


Earth

Striving to maintain the only thing that everyone has in common. Our Earth.


Recycling Buildings.

When searching for a new home, Vanerum•Stelter chose to renovate an existing building in the Heartside district of Grand Rapids, MI. This is the second building that we have revived in our community. By doing this, we maximized land usage, improved the quality of property, and reducted the use of new materials.


Energy

Preserving natural resources and reducing our consumption of new energy.


Daily Consumption.

To reduce daily energy consumption we have installed fluorecent lighting in our manufacturing facility and our offices and use only Energy Star™ appliances.

People

Extended involvement in our surrounding communities on a company
and personal level.


Programs & People

In conjuntion with Mel Trotter Ministries and Goodwill Industries, Vanerum•Stelter has developed an enpowering employment program for various assembly, installation, and janitorial positions. We also partner with local universities such as Kendall College of Art and Design and Grand Valley State University to offer internships in the areas of graphic design, finance, sales, marketing, operations and engineering.


Products

Making it simple to go green by supplying sustainable products that are functional and affordable.


When we talk about sustainable products, we are talking about the materials, adhesives, and paints used on the creation of the product. Click below to find out how each help to reduce the carbon footprint of our products.



Paints |

Powdercoat Paint

What it is

The process of applying paint to a product uses no alcohol-based aerosols, produces less hazardous waste than other methods and emits almost no harmful VOC's into the atmosphere improving the quality of the air. Also, any overspray can be collected and recycled.


The process

Starting as powder, the paint particles are electrostatically charged making them stick to the metal surface. Using the powder paint gun, the surface is sprayed with a mist of powdercoat. Then the unit is heated, melting the powder particles together to form a continuous film that colors and protects the surface.


Why use powdercoat?

  • • High specification coating is hard, abrasion resistant and tough.
  • • Powdercoat paints do not use hazardous alchohol aerosols.
  • • Unlike liquid paids, powdercoat paints are not composed of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's).
  • • Endless color options.
    • Adhesives |

    Adhesives

    Eco-Friendly Adhesives

  • Where adhesives are used, our edge banding is attached with urea-formaldehyde-free synthetic resin or phenolic resin, eliminating harmful formaldehyde or VOC emissions.
    • Materials

    Sustainable Material Options

    Cores

  • Wheatboard, sunflower board and 100% formaldehyde free MDF can be specified to ensure that all our wood products are constructed with rapidly renewable resources and reclaimed, recycled wood fibers.

    • Biocomposites

  • Natural fiber composites extend the use of reclaimed materials and eliminate wood in favor of post industrial, annually renewable agricultural resources (soybean, wheat, and sunflower).

    • Linoleum

  • forbo Linoleum products are all-natural and made with high reclaimed content, including linseed oil, rosin brinders, ground cork, wood flour, mineral fillers and nontoxic pigments. Additionally, linoleum emits no harmful VOC's or carcinogens into the atmosphere, improving indoor air quality.

    • Laminates

  • All our laminates are Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified to ensure that the level of emissions from substances such as formaldehyde are well within recommendations set by public health organizations such as WHO and OSHA.

    • Resin

  • We offer EcoResin™ panels from 3Form which are made with 40% post-industrial recycled content. At the end of its useful life, EcoResin panels can be returned to 3Form for recycling and used in other applications.

    • Stainless Steel

  • We can also incorporate the use of rapidly renewable metals such as stainless steel into our products.
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