Rolls of paper used in the production of laminate

Is Laminate "green". Can projects receive LEED credit for using it? JUST TAKE A LOOK!

The LEED Rating system sections that are applicable are the Materials & Resources; Recycled Content (MR Credit 4), Local/Regional Materials (MR Credit 5), Certified Wood (MR Credit 7), Indoor Environmental Quality; and Low-Emitting Materials (EQ Credit 4.1 and 4.4)

Recycled Content

The term "recycled" refers to the recovery and reuse of materials after they have served their primary purpose. Materials recycling is also called Materials Salvage and there are two distinct types: Internal Salvage - where, in manufacturing, waste produced is reused within the process, and External Salvage - which is the reclaiming of materials from a product after it has been used or is obsolete, this is also referred to as post-consumer-recycling. While laminate cannot currently be post-consumer recycled approximately 22% of the material is Internally Salvaged.

At this point, laminate sheet goods that have been used in applications are not eligible for post-consumer recycling. However, the long life and durability of the surface means that applications like furniture and even countertops can actually be re-used. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore will accept still usable laminated pieces at most locations. Meanwhile, the industry continues to seek other options to complete the life-cycle sustainability of the product.

Certified Wood

Most people think laminate is plastic. Actually, laminate is composed of only 13% plastic resins and 87% paper. Much of the paper that goes into a sheet of laminate comes from trees grown in certified forests.

Wilsonart for example uses core paper sourced by suppliers who are third party certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard (SFI). The SFI is endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC).

Another thing about laminate is its ability to imitate exotic materials such as ebony, rosewood and teak. Not only are the trees themselves endangered but when they are harvested there is often collateral damage done to the fragile eco-systems where they grow. This is one of those situations where using the "fake" is better than using the "real thing".

Low-Emitting Materials

Most laminate products made in North America have already received GREENGUARD certification as low-emitting products for use in interiors.

GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified

Laminate will not emit VOC that may harm children, pets, houseplants or infect food.

Wilsonart Laminates and Adhesives, for example, do not contain urea-formaldehyde resins. Additionally, Wilsonart Adhesive H2O product meets the VOC requirements of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule #1168, for contact adhesives applications.

Here’s an interesting factoid. According to the Canadian Conservation Institute, the organization that advises museums about the science and technology of conserving and preserving cultural heritage, laminate is an ideal material for the storage of sensitive artifacts because it will not adversely affect fragile materials. The institute also stated that laminate is an ideal barrier material, blocking harmful VOC vapors released from products like particle board.

Local/Regional Materials

North American-made laminates may also qualify for LEED points depending on how close the manufacturer is to the application. Wilsonart Laminate that is sold in the United States is manufactured either in Temple, Texas, or in Asheville, North Carolina.