It is possible to lead a “green” lifestyle right down to the furniture in your house. While shopping for ecological furniture, two important factors to consider are materials used and manufacturing techniques.
Choosing furniture made of ecological materials is probably the most obvious way to buy ecological furniture. Recycled or reused wood, steel, leather, or other fibers uses existing materials, and water-based glues and stains reduces added chemicals that can be harmful to both you and the environment.
Bamboo has been recognized and praised for being the fastest growing woody plant in the world, while proving to be very durable yet lightweight. Cork is also regarded as a sustainable and environmentally friendly building material. Cork is the bark of a species of oak tree that can be harvested without damaging the tree. The bark grows back over time, and can be harvested several times throughout the tree’s life. Cork is also easy to recycle and is very fire resistant.
Choosing furniture based on manufacturing techniques is also a method of choosing ecological furniture. Some furniture companies minimize waste by only producing custom-made products on an individual basis, thereby eliminating the need for a warehouse and eliminating the possibility for un-sold furniture. It is important to think about every step in the manufacturing process.
To minimize your ecological impact, think about where the wood, leather, or other fibers in your piece of furniture were grown or processed, and how long and under what circumstances they made their way to your living room. Did they travel across the country? Across the world? Choosing local materials from local craftsmen can reduce your carbon footprint.
Thinking of a few simple factors in your next furniture purchase can make an impact on your quality of life and the health of the environment. What will you buy next?
By Anne Consroe
Choosing furniture made of ecological materials is probably the most obvious way to buy ecological furniture. Recycled or reused wood, steel, leather, or other fibers uses existing materials, and water-based glues and stains reduces added chemicals that can be harmful to both you and the environment.
Bamboo has been recognized and praised for being the fastest growing woody plant in the world, while proving to be very durable yet lightweight. Cork is also regarded as a sustainable and environmentally friendly building material. Cork is the bark of a species of oak tree that can be harvested without damaging the tree. The bark grows back over time, and can be harvested several times throughout the tree’s life. Cork is also easy to recycle and is very fire resistant.
Choosing furniture based on manufacturing techniques is also a method of choosing ecological furniture. Some furniture companies minimize waste by only producing custom-made products on an individual basis, thereby eliminating the need for a warehouse and eliminating the possibility for un-sold furniture. It is important to think about every step in the manufacturing process.
To minimize your ecological impact, think about where the wood, leather, or other fibers in your piece of furniture were grown or processed, and how long and under what circumstances they made their way to your living room. Did they travel across the country? Across the world? Choosing local materials from local craftsmen can reduce your carbon footprint.
Thinking of a few simple factors in your next furniture purchase can make an impact on your quality of life and the health of the environment. What will you buy next?
By Anne Consroe
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