SEPTEMBER 2022
CONTRIBUTING EXPERT: JULIE MILLER | RESOURCE LIBRARIAN (EIS NORTH AMERICA)

When humans spend as much time indoors as we do, looking at the design of indoor spaces and the materials used to build them is key. Why? Well, our well-being depends on it. We spend so much time inside that the way we design interiors is increasingly impacting our health and the environment. And shouldn’t the spaces we’ve created for ourselves work for us and not against us?   

It’s up to us to make our environments sustainable, healthy, and long-lasting. Each design choice affects the environment, and making intentional and eco-friendly decisions is paramount.  

Sustainability is an ongoing concern, and fighting alongside it begins with a matter as simple as eco-friendly materials. Our natural environment has a positive impact on physical and mental health – it's time interior design does the same.   

September is sustainability month, and we want to show how accessible and simple sustainability really is. Below are three common materials that will help make commercial design more sustainable.   

Laminate  

Laminate is a material used regularly because of its many advantages compared to wood, which requires routine maintenance like sealing and cleaning. Made from several layers of flooring product compounded together, laminate is less expensive than wood, easy to install, and requires little to no maintenance at all. Laminate also stands up against weather and the elements, achieving a longer, more sustainable life.  

Wilsonart, a company whose laminate we frequently use, offers High Pressure Laminate (HPL) that was designed with human health in mind. They know where the values of their designers, architects, and end users lie, so a surface was created to help reduce the waste over the lifetime of a building, knowing it was designed to last and tested to assist in maintaining a more sustainable indoor environment.   

Powder coating  

Powder coating is a type of finishing process that adheres to metal once baked to achieve a smooth surface. Once dry, a powder coat creates a hard finish much more sustainable than wet paint due to its resistance to chipping and scratching. Powder coating is a great option for outdoor furniture and uses and reuses every bit of waste until nothing is left, making it a greener choice.   

Powder coating is a viable option, but it also gives off low VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. VOCs are gases emitted into the air from certain processes and products. While powder coating does emit these gases into the air, this is the more acceptable option because of its low emission amount. Tiger Drylac preserves resources by recycling and avoiding harmful raw materials. The products they use to build their furniture are also solvent-free and produce zero emissions. Their powder coatings “provide rich effects and brilliance that fulfill the highest demands for a refined surface.”   

Porcelain tile  

Another sustainable material is tile. Tile is all-natural, 100% recyclable, and is used for flooring, walls, countertops, and backsplashes. Porcelain tile, rather than ceramic tile, is more durable as it’s heated to 2,500 degrees. This high temperature is why porcelain tile is naturally protected and doesn't require fire retardants.   

Porcelain tiles are eco-friendly at all phases of life, from extracting the raw materials to manufacturing using efficient water and energy systems, being naturally 100% recyclable. Atlas Concorde is a manufacturer of tile and claims it to be one of the most sustainable options. Produced with recycled materials, tile is nearly unlimited in its durability and is consistently aesthetically pleasing.   

What about antimicrobial products?  

Towards the beginning of COVID-19, several businesses added a layer of antimicrobials onto their products to reduce the spread of germs; however, we’re now seeing these offer no benefit to our health and might even cause harm.   

According to the Green Science Policy Institute, “Some antimicrobials may disrupt hormone function, and some are associated with developmental and reproductive effects, allergen sensitivity, and antibiotic resistance.” The chemicals in the antimicrobials are sometimes more dangerous than the microbes themselves.  

Once antimicrobials are on a surface, they likely can’t be removed, especially from an upholstered or fabric surface, so we don't add antimicrobials to any of our products. Instead, the use of natural antimicrobial materials is becoming more popular in commercial design.  

What we do as a sustainable company  

As a global company, EIS is committed to protecting our planet through business practices like recycling, pollution prevention, responsible waste management, and responsible consumption. Our Hong Kong office is promoting green packaging rather than using previous packaging materials like polyfoam, bubble paper, and MDF board. Learn more about our global sustainability practices in this article featuring EIS General Manager Kenneth Lau about sustainable development, the green packaging we implement for shipping products, and other ways we stay sustainable.   

Our team in Hong Kong was recently honored with the Sustainability Leadership Recognition award from Hong Kong University. The university led this sustainability program with Starbucks Asia-Pacific to recognize their suppliers committed to sustainable and equitable business practices.  

Our products in practice   

In many of our hospitality packages, we offer quartz, a durable and sustainable material. Because of its abundance and ease of mining, quartz doesn’t need to be shipped long distances, which reduces its environmental toll. Quartz has a lengthy lifetime and won’t require replacement. Even if it does need to be replaced, quartz is recyclable.   

It's our goal to build enriched experiences, extraordinary spaces, and enduring relationships with our customers, employees, and our planet, and using sustainable, easily accessible materials is just one way we attempt to reach that goal every day. Learn more about our custom cabinetry and millwork, hotel renovations, and more on our website, or get in touch with us to discuss using sustainable materials in your next interior project.  

About Elkay Interior Systems  

Elkay Interior Systems (EIS) is a tight-knit team of industry-leading designers, commercial-grade manufacturers, innovative engineers, resourceful project managers, and sourcing experts committed to every stage of your project by guaranteeing quality and reliability. We stand out from the crowd with our 40+ years of global experience in the restaurant, hospitality, retail, and education markets. We believe in simplifying the complicated.