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First Powered Workstation Recognized by MBDC

The certification addresses human and ecological health impacts of a material's ingredients.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 11/15/2006 12:00:00 AM

At the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo this week, Steelcase achieved an industry first. To date, the office furniture manufacturer has earned the contract furniture industry’s only McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) Cradle to Cradle Certification for a powered workstation. MBDC bestowed the workstation with a Silver award.

To award Cradle to Cradle Product Certification, MBDC analyzes human and ecological health impacts of a material's ingredients and a product’s lifecycle, focusing on the ability to recycle or safely compost materials. Extensive criteria addresses issues such as PVC (which is prohibited), social fairness, and corporate practices and ethics.

Incorporating green materials, Steelcase's Answer workstation includes panels, wood worksurfaces, and overhead and floor-based storage.

"Steelcase began the Cradle to Cradle workstation certification process with Answer because it is one of the best selling systems products in the world, so it should have immediate and widespread impact," says Allan Smith, vice president of global environmental strategy and programs at Steelcase. "This may be the first, but we expect all of our leading systems products to achieve this certification within the next six to 12 months."