CATSCRATCHBOX.COM     THE MATERIAL WE USE TO MAKE OUR BOXES The very nature of our work grew out of care and concern:  to stop the declawing of cats and to help keep them indoors. It is a bonus that our cat scratch boxes give cats pleasure since every cat we know loves "their" cat box.  We share a concern as well for the environmental impact the materials we use might have, so we thought it might be of interest to show you specifically what we use and why. We tried in the beginning to use only recycled wood and cardboard, but the amount of time and energy (electricity, equipment, materials, etc.) made it impractical and illogical financially and environmentally. We researched our options thoroughly, reviewed many environmental websites, revised and refined our processes over many years, and our current product is the result.   WOOD There are birch dowels set inside the cardboard that are from Maine tree farms. The frame for our cat box is made with a South American species of wood called cambara (it looks like mahogany).  It is classified as, "Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified"--and it is the pinnacle certification for a tree farm to obtain.   If you would like to see the care that goes into their products, this is a link to the company that supplies the cambara:              http://www.ironwoods.com/   CARDBOARD The industrial strength double walled corrugated cardboard is supplied to us from a New Hampshire company.  This is the same material used to pack heavy equipment, and the content is approximately 60% made from recycled material.  This amount has been pre-determined for cardboard products requiring strength, since fully recycled paper becomes too slippery to hold it's shape. This strength enables us to offer you a cat box that we KNOW lasts for years. We have found it is essential to get such a heavy-duty cardboard because a cat's claws are so powerful. The store varieties tell you that they are "Made from Recycled Material",  in nice sized large letters on the front of the box--and then define it as "about 30% recycled" in small print on the back. They then go on to recommend that you recycle their product when you are done with it. However, since they get shredded to pieces within a few monthes there is nothing much left TO recycle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We hope you feel, as we do, that we are taking the correct approach. The environment is of major importance to us. It has been and will be a  part of every decision we make.  It goes hand in hand with how we feel about our love for cats. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   RETURN TO:   CAT BOX SUMMARY