Furniture Industry Reports Largest Drop In Toxic Emissions

Furniture World Magazine

Furniture manufacturers topped the list of industries reporting percentage reductions of' releases of toxic chemicals in their manufacturing communities, according to a report just published by tile Environmental Protection Agency. In its 1997 Toxics Release Inventory Public Data Release, the EPA announced that the furniture industry had the largest percentage decrease of any industrial category in tile United States between 1995 and 1997. As part of the Pollution Prevention Act passed by Congress in 1990, manufacturing facilities are required to report quantities of' toxic chemicals that are recycled, combusted for energy recovery, and treated off-site. "These reductions illustrate tile new environmental culture of the furniture industry," said Andy Counts.. vice president of environmental affairs at the American Furniture Manufacturers Association. "The industry is proud of this accomplishment and I'm sure that the trend will continue," he remarked. According to Counts, the reductions are a result of pollution prevention and waste minimization initiatives implemented throughout the industry, "AFMA has developed In environmental web site (www.afma.enviroguide.com) to assist the industry in this effort," he continued. The environmental guide. For the furniture industry contains detailed environmental information and tools of importance to the industry. In addition, the AFMA is currently developing an environmental recognition program, titled EFEC - Effect Furniture's Environmental Culture - that is intended to promote and reward environmental excellence among Furniture manufacturers. The program is slated for introduction in November at the Association's Annual Meeting.