PM spoke with Bob Davis, senior channel manager of Bemis Mfg. Co., in Atlanta during ISH North America recently. Besides the new contractor-friendly products announced at the show, Davis pointed out all the ways this toilet seat manufacturer is going green.

“A look at three key areas in our manufacturing ― paint, materials and molding ― shows the high value we place on the health and safety of our employees, our customers and our planet,” Davis said. Bemis’ products also meet exacting American environmental standards.

Toilet seats are typically made from plastic and molded wood that are then painted or finished. This process is ripe for the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehydes and isocyanates. Since 1995, Bemis converted its manufacturing processes to pull away from using VOC-solvent bases in its paints. Now only water-based acrylic paint for its molded wood toilet seats is used.

Compare that to Chinese imports, which, according to Davis, use polyurethane and acid catalyzed finishes.

Bemis’ wood choice of “rediscovered woods” contributes to its environmental measures.  The company’s alliance with the Forest Stewardship Council and the Rainforest Alliance helped the company with gaining SmartWood™ Rediscoverd Wood certification. To qualify, Bemis must use recycled and salvaged wood for its products, which it happily does.

“Bemis is one of only a small number of North American manufacturers to achieve the strict standards required for Rediscovered Wood certification,” Davis said.

For more information about Bemis and its eco-friendly solutions, visit www.bemismfg.com.