Santa Cruz, CA (October, 2006) /PRNewswire/ - Lifestyle design company Maria Yee Inc. recently announced its home furnishings made with patent-pending BambooTimbre™ meet stringent GREENGUARD and E-1 standards for low-emitting materials, and qualify as a "rapidly renewable" material according to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System.
Maria Yee created BambooTimbre as an innovative natural alternative to dwindling hardwood. The tough yet silky material is made from 100 percent Moso, one of the finest bamboo species. Moso can be planted and harvested within a five-year cycle and regenerates from the original plant clump, replenishing itself with virtually no impact to the environment. According to LEED, "rapidly renewable" is defined as products that originate from plants that are harvested within a 10-year cycle.
Because BambooTimbre needs no synthetic polymers to protect its surface, it does not release harmful volatile compounds into the atmosphere. Tested according to EN 717-1, which measures formaldehyde content in wood-based panels, BambooTimbre fulfills the best class, E1.
"Maria Yee is the first, and only, company using a sustainable natural resource to replace hardwood furniture manufacturing on a production scale," says Peter Yee, chief executive officer of Maria Yee Inc. "As part of our vision for a greener environment, we regard it as our duty to create eco-friendly home furnishings and reward discerning customers with what we call EcoLuxury™ - luxury that is ecologically responsible."
Unlike any other bamboo product, BambooTimbre is specifically created for constructing furniture and large objects. Maria Yee flattens bamboo culms, then layers and bonds them in defined patterns to ensure structural integrity. The material is harder and more stable than red oak, exceeds the tensile strength of steel and is heat, water and alcohol resistant. BambooTimbre also imparts a unique quality that is not found in most other materials—the surface feels warmer in cold weather and cooler in hot weather.
"Because of BambooTimbre's unparalleled virtues, it will no doubt become a favored furniture material for generations to come," adds Yee.
About GREENGUARD Environmental InstituteThe GREENGUARD Environmental Institute™ (GEI) is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification Program. As an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer, GEI establishes acceptable indoor air standards for indoor products, environments and buildings. GEI's mission is to improve public health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air. A GEI Advisory Board consisting of independent volunteers, who are renowned experts in the areas of indoor air quality, public and environmental health, building design and construction, and public policy, provides guidance and leadership to GEI.
About LEEDThe Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System® is a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their building's performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
About Maria Yee Inc.Maria Yee Inc. is a lifestyle design company, offering uniquely craftedSource: Maria Yee Inc. (www.mariayee.com)
For additional information, contact Cindy Ta of Maria Yee Inc.: (510) 785-0927,
[email protected].