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The XCube line of tables from Southern Aluminum is handcrafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. The company’s aluminum extrusions—which are sourced less than 150 miles from its facility—are 85 percent recycled content (of which, 43 percent is post-consumer content). The XCube display table is constructed of an all-aluminum table top and folding base, and it is completely recyclable at the end of its long product life.
The table top features a hand-etched swirl pattern, which provides a surface that is attractive to use without linens or cloths (saving laundry costs), and utilizes a finish that also hides any abuse such as scratches or marks. Aluminum tables can be cleaned with soap and water, and do not require special cleaners.
SOUTHERN ALUMINUM
(800) 221-0408
www.southernaluminum.com
Southern Aluminum’s manufacturing process yields minimal waste, as all scrap aluminum is recovered and re-melted into new extrusions. All product designs have been reassessed for optimization of aluminum extrusions, as this measure was introduced to reduce waste. The company’s products and components are 100 percent recyclable and can be disposed of at any scrap metal recycling location worldwide.
In 2004, an environmentally conscious powder coating system was installed to optimize the reuse of water and minimize steam offgas. The water used in this process is applied to clean the product before it is painted, and then recycled for future washings.
Unlike many other materials, aluminum does not lose its unique properties when recycled. Furthermore, recycling aluminum requires only 5 percent of the original energy input to extrude it, and it is a 100 percent reusable resource.
“Aluminum loses none of its original strength or characteristics through repeated recycling and can be used in a closed loop indefinitely,” notes Childs. “This makes this metal, though energy intensive in the initial processing, an extremely valuable sustainable material.”