Green Products

Lofty Leftovers

Workers at Umbrella Cabinetry look at the big picture when it comes to designing and manufacturing sustainable kitchens. Not only do they choose environmentally friendly products, but they reuse waste, inform customers, and keep finding ways to do better. “Many people are shocked at the diversity and variety of materials available,” says James Loppie, sales and design manager for Umbrella. “We’re getting the message out there constantly.”

The company uses an assortment of sustainable materials in its projects. Plyboo bamboo plywood graces cabinet doors. Kraft paper and recycled MDF form drawer bottoms and shelves. GREENGUARD-certified quartz countertops, low-formaldehyde boards, and low-VOC paints ensure healthy air quality. Umbrella’s designers even use offcuts from countertops and doors to build kitchen accessories, such as cutting boards.

“I spend probably 15 to 20 hours a week looking” for new green materials, Loppie says.

Umbrella Cabinetry.905.568.1665. www.umbrellacabinetry.com.

From Thin Air

WaterMill collects moisture from outside air and turns it into fresh water, using ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and keep the system sterilized. According to the manufacturer, WaterMill meets the daily drinking and cooking needs of a family of six.

The 35-pound device runs on 300 watts of current and mounts inside or outside a home. It can be hooked up to a sink faucet, refrigerator, or water cooler.

Element Four says WaterMill keeps plastic out of landfills—and is cost-efficient. Water from alternative bottled systems costs 10 cents or more per liter, it argues, whereas one liter of WaterMill drinking water has a price tag of less than 4 cents.

Element Four.866.679.9280.www.elementfour.com.