Frequently Asked Questions

Designer FAQ's- Environment

Why is Lone Meadow claiming it is the "greenest" hospitality seating company?

Lone Meadow™ has a very different philosophy from other hospitality mfrs. First, Lone Meadow is proud to sustain local suppliers within a 500 mile radius of our factories (wherever possible), and prouder still to be U.S. made and sourced. By meeting strict air quality and pollution standards set by one of the nation's most environmentally forward states (California), Lone Meadow has a commitment to cleaner manufacturing. Additionally, Lone Meadow has taken the exceptional steps to use NO VIRGIN FOAM- eliminating high VOC's (volatile organic compounds, which defines highly toxic and pollutant materials), as well as to secure hardwoods from a world recognized leading organization for forest management, S.F.I., which stands for Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Few manufacturers in the production of furniture recognize the critical importance of supporting sustainable forest management practices. Lone Meadow is pleased to offer exclusively Designtex Sustainable Initiatives for textile options. These fabrics are considered by most to be the best natural alternatives available as a fabric cover for upholstery due to its raw materials and dyeing process. In contrast to a Crypton™ fabric, for instance, there is a natural decomposition to the Designtex Sustainable Initiatives fabrics. Finally, Lone Meadow contributes a portion of profits to The Nature Conservancy, a global organization dedicated to preserving earth's most precious biological hotspots.

Do property owners, managers, designers and purchasing agents really care whether a product is environmentally friendly or not?

If they haven't before, they are finally just beginning to! The growing trend in today's commercial construction is to make buildings more energy efficient while using low VOC emitting building materials. In the commercial market, many cities around the country are offering tax incentives to buildings that meet certain environmental standards. We are finally beginning to see these incentives take shape specifically for hospitality/restaurant buildings as well. Furnishings are now also being required to meet low VOC emissions for commercial and healthcare applications. Additionally, a GHI or Green Hotel Initiative created by CERES exists for the hotel industry. Many larger hotel chains have expressed an interest in developing a "green" standard for their properties. For other seating manufacturers/competitors, environmental standards will become harder to meet than pricepoints, especially as this movement evolves on a broad scale.

Is being "green" worth the money?

A time will come when it will be to all. Look at the Toyota Prius! But let's consider this: according to Munich Reinsurance, the largest reinsurance company in the world, the amount of damage in 1998 caused by climatic phenomena reached 92 billion U.S. dollars and caused 32,000 deaths (1998 was the warmest year on record since modern science began determining these figures in 1880.) Floods cause close to 40% of the casualties from natural disasters. The single largest factor for the damage done by coastal flooding is deforestation, and since many resort properties exist along these coastlines, bad forest management is a threat to their success. We want to make a big issue about this, and compare with Asian imported chairs.

How do you consider any foam to be sustainable?

Good question. Lone Meadow recognized that the use of virgin foam limited the ability to create a more earth-friendly product. The production of virgin foam creates a heavy toxic emission. The use of 100% recycled foam eliminates this step and minimizes VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. Additionally, recycled foam has greater resilience and will last longer (3.5 lb. Density, compared with standard 1.8 lb. Density foam by all competitors). Lone Meadow Integrity + Foam is 100% recycled.

Is this environment movement a trend or fad?

The planet is changing in so many unnatural ways. If you are a seafood lover, it is not. Most large fish species are diminishing at an unprecedented rate and soon will be unavailable as main courses to most of us. If you live in the Southwest U.S., it is not. Fresh water shortages will soon become a daily reality and pit states against each other for agriculture, development, and tourism rights. If you live along low-lying coastal areas, it is not. Scientists predict that serious flooding will plague these areas as our oceans swell from the effects of a warming trend.