Even before global warming was a topic on the minds of many people, Missouri Table & Chair (MTC) has tried protecting the environment. For example, all of our finishing waste is collected in 55 gallon drums and sent to a cement manufacturer to recycle, where this finishing waste has been used for energy in the cement manufacturing process. Our finishes were also increased with more solids to lessen VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions. Sawdust and scrap lumber leftover from the manufacturing process are used by farmers and residential people. Reducing and recycling cost extra in some areas, like with finishes, but making everyone at MTC and our vendors aware of expenses and the environment is good for our business and the planet. We use quite a bit of hardwood in our business in the manufacture of our restaurant furniture. Hardwood is a sustainable green product. The information provided by the Hardwood Manufacturers Association states that American forests continue to be a trusted source for sustainable and legally harvested timber that is carbon neutral. A solid hardwood floor, or a table top, can last in excess of 100 years, while carpet would need to be replaced numerous times during that span. And according to the U.S. Forest Service, there were 119 percent more hardwood trees in 2007 than in 1953. All of our restaurant table bases are manufactured from steel or aluminum that can be recycled and used for another purpose. Our seating can be separated into wood, aluminum and steel that can be recycled. The cardboard and crates and skids made from wood products is also recycled. We choose to do no harm to the earth that sustains us. We realize there are always areas where we can improve, within MTC, and also from any vendors that support us with materials. Just a few examples are searching for better finishing materials to further reduce the emissions into the air, reducing the use of electricity with more efficient machinery, and using popcorn chip packing material that is biodegradable and not petroleum based. We believe that using sustainable products and increasing efficiency not only helps our business, but also the environment.