Most kitchen cabinets and joinery cabinets installed in homes and offices today are manufactured from 16mm white HMR (High Moisture Resistant) board, otherwise referred to as “white board”, White board is strong, versatile, economical and easy to clean. On the downside, white board is manufactured using urea formaldehyde resin which can off-gas for up to five years in the installed environment.   The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) which provides information on safe handling of the board advises the material may produce skin senisitisation in predisposed individuals and to avoid all possible skin contact.  Presumably the MSDS is referring to the dust created by cutting the board, or the unfinished raw edges of the board, however, the information is, interestingly, unclear.  http://tradeessentials.thelaminexgroup.com.au/uploads/tech-info/Whiteboard_HMR_Material_Safety_Data_Sheet.pdf The manufacturing of kitchens from white board creates an environmental waste issue due to the amount of white board which is dumped in tips from unused offcuts, or burnt and the limited lifespan of the kitchen.  Most white board kitchens are guaranteed for 5-7 years and the current market trends indicate kitchens are being replaced approximately every 15 years.  Select Custom Joinery offers the Eco kitchen and joinery alternative – more than just replacing your light globes, ensuring water efficiency and separating your recycling.  Cabinets are constructed from materials such as plantation hoop pine plywood, bamboo plywood or other sustainable materials and oiled with osmo oil, a durable non-toxic oil. Doors and benchtops are manufactured using materials such as: Plantation timbers Recycled timbers Marmoleum Veneers (interior of doors only) Glass (interior of doors only). Any interior joinery can be built using these eco friendly materials – bathroom vanity units, wall cabinets, entertainment units, bookshelves and additional cupboards, wardrobes, love seats etc. Custom built fine furniture can also be manufactured using these materials. Do to the durability of these materials, all eco kitchens, joinery and fine furniture come with a 10 year guarantee. By constructing your new kitchen and joinery from eco friendly materials, you can really can help to minimise your environmental impact.