Environmental Statement

We all have a choice to make.
Continue on with business as usual, or commit to do everything we
can to make our world a better place to live. The furniture that
we manufacture, and the way we manufacture it, has an effect on
the environment. Spec is committed to use sustainable design
and environmentally friendly materials, processes and to minimize
our use of non-renewable resources. We make this commitment to
reduce our overall environmental impact.

Commitment
Spec is committed to:

 continuously improving environmental performance through
    the use of recycling and recycled products
    minimizing waste and encouraging the use of
      bio-degradable products
    efficiently using water, energy and transportation
    using materials from sustainable and renewable resources
    minimizing the use of solvents and other harmful materials
    preserving the environment in and around our facilities and
      within our community
 compliance with environmental legislation as a minimum
   level of performance
 the education and training of our employees in environmental
   issues and the environmental effects of their activities
 monitoring our progress and reviewing our environmental
   performance on a regular basis
 encouraging our customers and suppliers to use products
   and services in an environmentally-sensitive way

Strategies
We will reduce our overall environmental footprint by 20% by the
end of 2010. To achieve this, we have committed to the following goals:

 Reduce our natural gas, water and electricity usage 25%.
   Completion date – 2010
 Reduce the amount of our fabric waste by 50%.
   Completion date – 2009
 Reduce the amount of our in-house upholstery foam waste so that
   0% reaches land fill. Completion date - 2009
 Ensure that the local customer has access to less wasteful
   shipping methods. Completion date - 2008
 Ensure that 100% of our cardboard waste reaches a recycling centre.
   Completion date 2009
 Convert all finishing processes to 100% water based products.
   Completion date 2010
 BioFoam™: Ensure all foam used by Spec contains a minimum of
   20% bio-based fill. Completion date 2010
 Implement education and training for all Spec employees for recycling,
   and eco-friendly activities.
 Complete emission testing compliance for all products by 2010.

Testing
Spec has partnered with BIFMA and is committed to BIFMA’s Indoor
Air Quality (IAQ) standards for our products. The BIFMA IAQ standards
have been adopted by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
as part of the LEED rating system.

These standards are also included in the Whole Building Design Guide, Federal Green Construction Guide for specifiers. The M7.1 test method has been adopted by the States of California and Minnesota as part of their state office purchase criteria for office furniture and is also currently being considered for inclusion within the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) Low Emitting Materials requirements.

Products
A major component of our seating and table products are made from steel which is the world's most recycled material and among the easiest materials to reprocess. Steel can be recycled to top quality new metal, with no 'downgrading' from prime to lower quality materials as steel is recycled repeatedly.

Steel frames are finished in a powdercoat finish which is lead free, has zero VOC and no solvents are present. This keeps the air clean and employees safe and it also allows excess powder (i.e. over-spray) to
be reclaimed and re-used.

BioFoam™ technology is used in our molded seat and back foam. BioFoam™ technology utilizes up to 20% renewable plant-based reactive materials in foam components.

Existing products can be refurbished. Chair frames and table bases can be recoated with powder coat. Seat and back covers can be removed and replaced, or the old fabric can be removed and new fabric can be used to give the seating a brand new feel, utilizing the molded components.

Eco-Friendly fabrics and laminates are available from most manufacturers.

Lean
At Spec Furniture, we practice Lean Manufacturing principles. Through continuous improvement activities, we strive to reduce waste, use less energy, and make more efficient use of our space and materials.

For more information please contact:

Spec Customer Service
(p) 416.246.5550
(f) 416.246.5549
(Toll Free) 1.888.761.7732
specit@specfurniture.com