From the Manufacturer

Way Basics : Your Easy Eco and Non-toxic Modular Storage Solution

Yes, it’s a cube. Yet once you put this most-basic Way Basics piece together, you’ll find dozens of uses for it. It’ll be a cubby to store toys, magazines, DVDs or books in. You’ll use it as a light, portable extra seat. The cube is strong enough to serve as a stepstool to reach those high cupboards in the kitchen. And it’s the first building block for your own customized furniture ideas.

We believe we’ve invented the simplest, most ingenious furniture ever. Ultra-easy to put together, sustainably made and completely recyclable, it’s made from environmentally sound building blocks we call zBoards; that’ll inspire your creativity with playful possibilities.

And when you buy Way Basics furniture, you’re helping improve the world in other ways, too. We work with furniture banks around the country to help those families in desperate need — victims of natural disasters who’ve lost everything they owned, women and children escaping from domestic violence, working families below the poverty line, and others requiring a hand up — not a handout.

We’re founding members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, a coalition united to promote environmentally healthy practices in the industry, and to help consumers identify good furniture choices. We are also proud to announce that in 2008, Way Basics went zero via the Conservation Fund’s “Go Zero Program.” This means that we offset our company carbon emissions by planting trees at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge! To learn more visit the Conservation Fund.

zBoard: Save Money and Trees

It took us 10 years to perfect the ingenious building-block zBoards at the heart of our business. Our patented, environmentally sound manufacturing process turns post-consumer recycled paper into superbly strong boards that weigh 62% less than particle board. zBoards are just as solid and structurally sound as any engineered-wood furniture, yet they’re made from one of the simplest materials ever – paper.

We designed these marvelous building boards to be versatile and easy to assemble, and came up with a new way to put the pieces together. Strategically placed super-strong adhesive strip is the answer – all you do is peel off the protective covering, stick the blocks together, and you’re done. If you’re creating your own design with zBoards, you can also use screws or hardware if you like. zBoards are water-resistant and easy to clean. They come in different colors and both light and dark wood-grain designs, so you have options to fit your decor. They’re also available in white, which makes a perfect canvas for your own imagination.

The World’s Easiest Assembly

In our packages, you won’t find mysterious collections of screws and nails, or complicated diagrams and instructions. That’s because you can put our unique zBoards together without tools or hardware. Super-strong 3M brand adhesive strips let you fit the pieces neatly together. Just peel, stick and you’re done. Honest. See the assembly videos on our website.

You can buy our thoughtfully designed step-by-step furniture kits. And because they’re so easy to assemble and so versatile, you can also mix and match zBoards to fulfill your furniture fantasies. Since Way Basics products are modular, it’s easy to add on to your creation if you need more storage or want to use it for a different purpose. Then paint, wallpaper, or embellish them any way you like as well. (Kids love to decorate their own Way Basics stuff.) That’s something you definitely don’t get with most assembly-required furniture.

They’re Talking About Us

You may have seen Way Basics discussed on your favorite television morning show, your newspaper, or seen a review on a popular website. Our revolutionary easy eco modular furniture is making waves and has been seen on: MSNBC, ABC, Kids Today, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Daily Candy, Apartment Therapy to name a few.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What do I do with the backer board that came with my furniture?
A:When you’re done assembling your Way Basics furniture piece, place the backer board at the rear of your furniture. This sturdy paper board is the essential framing piece that holds it all together. It’s designed to adhere neatly, stabilize your furniture and create a finished look.

Q: How can I customize my Way Basics Furniture?
A: The possibilities are endless! We designed our modular building blocks to inspire creativity and possibility. Here are a few ideas:

• zBoard dividers are available to create organization and playful possibilities.
• Stack different bookshelves in different colors next to each other to create you own design.
• Add stickers!
• Mix and match zBoards of different hues to add a charge of color to any room.
• Build a multi-colored bookshelf or insert multiple zBoard dividers for a great look.
• Rest a horizontal zBoard on top of any two of our lower pre-configured pieces and voila! You’ve got a table or desk.
• Get fancy and spice it up with casters or wheels to make your furniture mobile. (you will need a screwdriver to affix casters)
• Visit the Design Gallery on waybasics.com for more ideas!

Q: Made from paper…is it strong? How much weight can zBoards hold?
A: It’s very strong indeed! zBoards are constructed through our patented process and are made from multiple, overlapping layers of paperboard and corrugated paper that combine to withstand tremendous pressure. We like to describe the zBoard as carbon fiber of paper. For instance, our founder weighs 195 pounds and when he stands on our Cube it can easily bear his weight.

zBoards are just as strong as common particle board constructed furniture. Our furniture is designed for use in common storage, home, and work purposes. With Way Basics furniture, you can easily add a divider/support zBoard and hold up to 100 pounds per shelf for your really big and heavy things. We recommend adding divider/support zBoards starting from the lowest shelf to support the heaving books or objects above.

Q: Is your packaging recycled too?
A: Yes, even our packaging is recycled. We use materials made from 90% post-consumer waste. Since packaging is just to safely transport and protect your furniture, we’d rather keep it basic, recycled, and completely recyclable to ease the load on our environment. Please reuse or recycle your packaging when you’re done with it, too. Thanks!

Q: How strong is the double-sided adhesive tape?
A: Very, very strong. We use only 3M industrial-strength heavy-duty adhesive tape on our products. To take full advantage of all that sticking power and get optimum adhesion, make sure your bonding adhesive surfaces are clean, dry, and properly joined. It works best if you put together your furniture in a room that’s between 70° F to 100° F (21° C to 38° C). This super-tape’s bonds get stronger during the first 24 hours so we recommend that you let your furniture sit in place for the first day.

Q: Are zBoards water resistant?
A: Yes, the exterior layers of the board are treated with a water resistant material just like other finished wood veneers. If water gets on the zBoard surface, it will dry (though of course it’s best if you wipe it up like all spills). You’ll want to keep water away from the furniture’s edges and corners where it’s a little more vulnerable to moisture. Again, we hate to sound like your mom, but if water spills, just wipe it up!

Q: Does Way Basics furniture off-gas?
A: No, Way Basics furniture does not “off-gas”. Off-gasing occurs in the manufacturing process of particle poard and MDF in which various types of formaldehyde are used. There is no formaldehyde in our products. Have no fear, our products don’t pass gas!

Q: What are the differences between zBoards, particleboard, plywood, solid wood, and MDF?
A: zBoards are made almost entirely (99%) from post-consumer recycled paper, and do not consume additional natural resources like trees and the enormous amounts of water needed to make virgin paper. While very strong, paper zBoards are made from the lightest form of wood byproduct.

Particleboard is made from wood particles (like wood chips, sawmill shavings, or sawdust), which is bound together with synthetic resin or other materials, then pressed and extruded. It is fairly heavy.

Plywood is engineered from thin sheets of wood veneer in layers that are glued together. It’s fairly heavy and expensive. It also means that trees must be chopped down to harvest the wood.

Solid wood is made directly from lumber, which means chopping down thousands of trees and continuing the deforestation of large areas of our planet. Solid wood furniture is heavy and generally very expensive.

MDF stands for medium density fiberboard, a variety of particleboard. It’s made by breaking down softwood into small wood fibers and particles that are then bound together with wax and resin. The panels are formed by applying high temperature and pressure. This manufacturing process uses lots of energy resources and puts contaminants into the environment.

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