The cabinets you choose can either make or break your overall kitchen design. Many building contractors might lower the total cost of the homes they build by installing inferior quality plastic laminate or melamine cabinets. These types of cabinetry and cupboards are not aesthetically appealing, and they also are sourced from resources that aren't typically renewable.
Wood cabinets are usually the better option, both for overall appearance and for sustainability. The cheaper options, traditionally made from medium-density fiberboard (MDF), are linked to health concerns due to high levels of formaldehyde and other off-gassing chemicals. If your budget does not allow you to opt for hardwood cabinets, it is best to search for formaldehyde-free MDF cabinets.
There are sourcing concerns with exotic hardwood cabinets and cupboards, like the carbon associated with imports from far away places and irresponsible forest management. So, while cabinets made from solid mahogany or other fine, tropical hardwoods will look beautiful in your kitchen and have fewer issues with off-gassing, they are not the most sustainable option.
According to a study by the World Wildlife Fund, global demand for low-cost timber leads to illegal logging in some of the most endangered tropical forests worldwide. Up to 50% of all harvested tropical hardwoods in particular forests can be the product of illegal logging.
However, the good news is that demand for high-quality tropical hardwoods can protect forests when sustainably managed. Responsible forest management can offer sustainable income to rural populations worldwide while also giving your kitchen a beautiful and natural cabinetry alternative. When searching for natural hardwood cabinets, ensure that the product is FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council).
Other sustainable options for natural wood cabinets include those made from salvaged wood, such as old barn boards. Also, some companies have begun to offer cabinets made from bamboo. Bamboo grows quickly and is often able to be sustainably harvested after only five years. A natural steaming process can provide natural, dark stains to bamboo veneers without chemical stains or varnishes. But, bamboo isn't without its faults. It is usually sourced from Asia. It has to travel worldwide to get to North America, giving it a much higher embodied energy than local wood has.
