DELRAY BEACH, FL— Kermit the Frog said it best: “It’s not easy being green.”

Deborah Scannell and Richard Knoll would agree. They would argue, however, that environmental consideration is the necessary next phase for the kitchen and bath industry, and they think the idea is about to sweep the nation.

The partners at Kitchens, Baths & More, based here, believe that the industry trend is undeniable.

Says Scannell: “It’s green, green, green everywhere you turn.”

Scannell and Knoll say their company is on top of the trend, promoting green products, such as a cabinetry line with no Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) finishes.

“It’s our intent to use high-quality yet low-impact materials such as sustainable wood veneers,” said Knoll, who believes being green requires a “cradle to cradle” approach, which means rethinking how products are specified, so that when the client looks to remodel, as little refuse as possible ends up as landfill.

Thinking in terms of what may be reused and recycled, they believe, ensures the best results for the home – and the environment.

Green Movement

For Kitchens, Baths & More, being green translates to using sustainably designed products in the kitchens they design and install, the partners say.

“It’s relatively new for us and the rest of the world; we’re all novices at this,” says Scannell, “We wanted to be ahead of the curve.”

Initially, the partners didn’t realize how few companies provide environmentally friendly kitchen products. Yet they have experienced a growing demand from consumers. The firm has responded to this by carrying not only green cabinetry, but also a series of countertop products that are certified for use in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program.

“There’s a lot involved in becoming a green supplier,” Scannell says. “You have to be mindful of water usage, and where a product is shipped from, and how far away that is from the jobsite.”