Symphony® and The Environment:

White Paper

J. JOSEPHSON, INC.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY STORY

J. Josephson, Inc., the manufacturer of Symphony® vinyl wallcoverings, has long been a leader in its eco-efficient production processes and as an earth-friendly supplier to the design community.

It's a common misperception that vinyl is hazardous or toxic because it is man-made versus natural. This is simply not the case. Vinyl is an accepted product in sustainable buildings, is recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council and is a viable option for LEED-registered projects. From the pipes that carry drinking water to IV bags in hospitals, vinyl is a safe and vital part of everyday life.

With so many green messages in the marketplace, we hope to clarify the misperceptions surrounding vinyl and provide useful information in regard to J. Josephson's sustainability story and ongoing commitment to our world's environment.

THE TRUTH ABOUT VINYL

Vinyl is the world's most versatile material, used to make everything from food wrap to auto body parts. Vinyl is composed of two simple building blocks: chlorine, based on common salt, and ethylene, from crude oil. Vinyl is a synthetic material. Think of what life would be like without synthetic materials; 90% of what you see around you would be gone. It's important to understand that while chlorine gas is toxic, table salt that contains mostly chlorine is not toxic. Symphony® vinyl wallcoverings are also free of formaldehyde, *PFOA, cadmium, mercury, *PBDEs and *DEHPs.

Today's manufacturing processes completely comply with the Clean Air Act and there's been a 90% reduction in emissions industry-wide. Symphony® vinyl wallcoverings not only meet these regulations, we exceed them. We capture and destroy 99.5% of our total emissions.

EMISSION ELIMINATION

Symphony® vinyl wallcoverings far exceed both the industry and regulations in capturing and destroying its plant emissions, but we don't stop there. A by-product of the emission destruction process is energy. This energy is used to power our machines and significantly reduces our overall energy requirements.

J. Josephson, Inc. continues its commitment to the environment by utilizing HAPs (Hazardous Air Pollutants) free acetate-based inks. Due to this, Symphony® vinyl wallcoverings are not required to file an annual report according to the EPA's (Environmental Protection Agency) regulations on TRI (Toxic Release Inventory).

LOW VOCS FOR BETTER INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Vinyl products, properly installed, have no recognized adverse impact on indoor air quality, and the small amount of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) emitted are dissipated quickly through normal ventilation. Tests have shown that, in such cases, the initial odor of vinyl wallcoverings dissipates much faster than the odors associated with paints.

VINYL IS SCRUBBABLE AND DURABLE

Vinyl is an easy-to-clean surface; and therefore helps to control pathogens and promote a sanitary environment in healthcare settings. This is one of several reasons why J. Josephson's vinyl wallcoverings are widely accepted and specified by hospitals and healthcare providers. In fact, we have a 5-year guarantee on our products; making us far more sustainable than paint products.

VINYL WALLCOVERINGS CAN BE PERMEABLE

J. Josephson offers micro-venting (in-house) as an option for any of its designs that provides a permeable or breathable surface that can potentially help prevent the growth of mold and mildew. J. Josephson's micro-venting technology has no impact on the strength and beauty of the wallcovering and can be used in situations where condensation build-up is a concern.

VINYL RECYCLING PROGRAM

Vinyl is highly recyclable and post-industrial vinyl waste and trim can be fabricated into products such as, garden hoses, pipes and sound-deadening panels for automobiles - importantly not sent to landfills when their useful life is concluded. J. Josephson has an initiative in place to reclaim and recycle vinyl wallcoverings. If you are removing vinyl from a project, please contact us so that we may recycle together and reduce the strain on our landfills.

MANUFACTURING RECYCLING INITIATIVES

J. Josephson has long been committed to reducing waste from its manufacturing processes and has a remarkable recycling program in place.

Recycle printed and unprinted vinyl waste for use in alternative manufacturing processes
Recycle printed, embossed/laminated material
Recycled 1.5 million pounds of waste annually
Recycle 100% of printing inks
Recycle the heat generated from our compressors to heat our facility in the wintertime

In addition, J. Josephson has made it a priority to innovate state-of-the art environmentally conscious manufacturing processes:

Use (NON-HAPs) Hazardous Air Pollutants free inks
Lowered VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) by installing a closed-loop ink dispensing system
Installed a more efficient lighting program throughout the facility; lowering lighting energy costs by 75%

HAPS FREE INKS

J. Josephson, Inc. safely prints wallcoverings using HAPs (Hazardous Air Pollutants) free acetate-based inks. By utilizing proper incineration methods, these inks are oxidized - generating heat that can be returned to the operation and virtually eliminating any hazardous emissions of carbon monoxide. Our inks are processed through a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO), which reduces our energy usage in manufacturing. J. Josephson, Inc. safely prints wallcoverings using HAPs (Hazardous Air Pollutants) free acetate-based inks. By utilizing proper incineration methods, these inks are oxidized - generating heat that can be returned to the operation and virtually eliminating any hazardous emissions of carbon monoxide. Our inks are processed through a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO), which reduces our energy usage in manufacturing.

COMPLIES WITH STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS

J. Josephson meets or exceeds state and federal regulations including:

Federal Clean Air Act
ECRA (Environmental Conservation Recovery Act)
State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Requirements

* PFOA- PERFLUOROOCTANOIC ACID
* PBDE- POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHER
* DEHP- DI (2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE

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