KBB - October 2014 - 50

TRENDS
2.
1. The Energy Star-certified Super-Capacity French-Door Refrigerator (model LFX31925) from LG employs
technology such as thin foam insulation to help operate 20 percent more efficiently than the federal minimum energy standard. As the first major appliance to receive the Green Good Housekeeping seal, the refrigerator uses 100 percent recyclable and sustainably sourced packaging. It also is recognized for its reduction
of water, waste and energy during production processes. Circle No. 217 or visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo

2. Offering 15 years of standard operation, Kichler's energy-efficient LED Mini-Pendants produce a pure
white light, controlled beam spread and a high CRI. The slim, elongated design comes in three finishes: polished chrome, brushed nickel and olde bronze (pictured). Circle No. 218 or visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo
3. Electrolux launched its 24-in. Built-in Dishwasher with IQ-Touch Controls (model number EI24ID50QS) to
address the need for cleaning performance; a shorter time to clean with a 30-minute cycle; and better
organization with a third-level rack, soft spikes and stemware holders. Water consumption has
dropped 15 percent, and energy use has been reduced by five percent versus previous models. Circle No. 219 or visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo
4. Granada Tile's Mauresque collection of Moroccan- and French-inspired decorative cement
tiles were created specifically for wall applications such as kitchen backsplashes. The tiles are
air dried rather than cured in an energy-intensive kiln. Granada also recycles all water and uses
it again in the manufacturing process, as well as salvages and recycles metal molds. Circle No.
220 or visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo

contain post-consumer recycled content. Each sheet contains 15 percent
total recycled content. Preconsumer recycled content, which consists of
reclaimed solid surfacing, accounts for 10 percent, while the five percent
from post-consumer use derives from Styrofoam cups (approximately
1,000 per sheet) and packaging. The material, designed for longevity, is
resistant to stain, water, impact, fire and chemicals.
Recycled materials also are at the core of Vetrazzo, which offers countertops comprised of 85 percent glass bottles and jars that otherwise
might have been thrown in the trash. In fact, the brand is diverting at least
5.3 million bottles from the landfill each year. Cement binds the countertop together, leaving less of an environmental impact than traditional
petroleum-based binders, said Chad Rosen, vice president of sales at Vetrazzo.
"As the technology of bio-based resins improves, we would like to see
more of the big countertop manufacturers taking advantage of those
advances," he added.
Its limited-edition Coastal collection was introduced earlier this year.
In addition to oyster shells from a South Carolina canning factory and
recycled pieces of marble, reclaimed purple-toned cranberry glass forms
the Amethystos selection from this line.
"We contacted a man who manufactured hundreds of thousands of
these plates, bowls and glasses, a lot of which were damaged and didn't
ship," said Rosen."We were able to intercept all of the glass before he sent
it to the landfill. We sat on it for two years before we knew what we wanted
to do with it."
Like Vetrazzo's other glass countertops, Coastal withstands temperatures up to 600 degrees, is stain and scratch resistant and requires periodic resealing.

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K BB

Illuminating Ideas
As incandescent light bulbs began disappearing from store shelves
because of their high energy consumption, compact fluorescent lighting
(CFL) became a favorite because the lamps were four times more efficient and lasted 10 times longer. Then, LED lighting emerged as another
alternative because the bulbs lasted up to 10 times as long as their CFL
counterparts. Their selection for kitchen lighting, however, was not a slam
dunk at first.
"In the past, LEDs were known for their harsh-colored light," said Barn
Light Electric's Aurigemma, whose company partners with LED manufacturer Cree. "It took many years for the industry to be able to create a
warm white light, but now this is easily achievable. Also, LEDs are now
readily offered with high CRI (color rendering index) values. This means
that colors really pop in the light."
Barn Light Electric promotes to customers the full lifecycle of its LEDbased fixtures to help paint the complete sustainability picture. It takes
six times as much electricity to power an incandescent light to match
the brightness of the company's LED light, guaranteed to provide 50,000
hours of illumination, said Aurigemma.
"Because LED lights last so much longer than other lighting technologies, the overall material consumption and shipping costs are less," he
added. "If an LED lasts 25 times longer than a traditional incandescent
light bulb, think of all the fuel, packaging material and amount of glass
and metal that make up those 25 bulbs."
Aurigemma also pointed out that no matter how long a product
lasts, it will stop working one day. "Instead of glues and adhesives, we use
screws and mechanical wire connectors to install our LEDs. This means
that at the end of the product's life, the parts can be easily separated for
proper disposal and recycling," he added. n
- By Holly O'Dell

October 2014 / www.kbbonline.com / The Official Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com

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KBB - October 2014

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