[greenie227]

I've read a little on ikea's website about being environmentally friendly, but are the kitchen cabinets? I guess they can be recycled, which is good, but what about what they're made of? I can't afford to go completely green with my remodel -- the solar system alone would cost upwards of $40k (so no, I'm not doing it) -- but I'm trying to go green where I can.

[GardenOfDarwin]

IKEA's are probably the greenest you'll get in the US. They manufacture to the highest standards in the markets they serve. In this case, it's Germany -- Germany is very strict with formaledhyde, and other chemical off-gassing, so in that respect they're safer than other cabinets, particularly plywood cabinets that have more chemcials in the glues than most MDF.

There is at least one article on the Fansite side (click home in the upper right of your screen, then go to FAQ 's and check out the one on Formaldehyde) which addresses the issue, and I have a letter from an IKEA representative who answered some questions for one of our members. I'll see if I can dig it up -- I need to get it posted!!!

Hope that helps! Welcome to the forums!

Susan

[anna]

Greenie, you may find this article (from last month's issue of the Sustainable Industries Journal) regarding IKEA's future environmental goals to be of interest.

Also, if you don't already read Dwell magazine, you should check it out. The promotion of sustainable, green modernism is a big part of every issue!