Abstract
Options are examined to improve the sustainability of office partition manufacturing by reducing volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions. Base VOC emissions for a typical plant are estimated using a mass balance approach. Pollution prevention and sustainability measures are assessed using realistic criteria and weightings. Sustainability has been considered from an industry perspective, considering factors like economics, environmental impact, quality, health and safety. Through a case study, it is demonstrated that several advantageous options are available for reducing VOC emissions in manufacturing office furniture partitions, and thereby enhancing the sustainability of that industrial operation. The measures deemed most viable include implementing several best management practices, not painting of non-visible parts, switching gluing processes, recycling solvent and modifying attachments. The results are intended to be balanced so as to improve their acceptability and adoptability by industry. It appears that it would be advantageous for manufacturers of office panels to evaluate the feasibility of these measures and to implement the most appropriate. The results are likely extendable to other operations in the wood furniture industry, and would improve their sustainability.
Highlights
Sustainability has become an objective for many countries and citizens, for reasons such as environmental stewardship, economic equity and opportunity, social stability and others
The findings demonstrate that potted plants can provide an efficient, self-regulating, low-cost, sustainable, bioremediation system for indoor air pollution, which can effectively complement engineering measures to reduce indoor air pollution, and improve the well-being of people and their productivity
volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions were considered since that is the focus of this study
Summary
Sustainability has become an objective for many countries and citizens, for reasons such as environmental stewardship, economic equity and opportunity, social stability and others. Numerous measures to enhance sustainability have been proposed over the past few decades for products, systems and processes. These measures are often focused on reducing environmental emissions and impacts, but they are almost always considered from other perspectives such as economic and social. Given industry’s need to remain competitive, both locally and internationally, measured responses by industry are usually given to proposals to improve sustainability. Furniture manufacturing and associated emissions are described, and the impact and prevention of VOC emissions are outlined. A strategic approach to advancing sustainability at Steelcase, a major office furniture manufacturer, has recently been described [1]. An objective of the approach is to share learning with others in the industry
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