greenliving
the Best
Furniture is
Green
10 keys to eco-Friendly Furnishings
Our furnishings say a lot about our values, vision and philosophy.
5. Check for easy
But our buying decisions might also say that we think it is okay
disassembly and
to contribute to global warming, purchase products of child or
slave labor, or select disposable furniture that won’t last.
recyclability.
Eco-friendly furniture should be easy to
repair, disassemble and recycle. Prod-
F
ortunately, responsible consumers are beginning to think twice about their
ucts certified through MBDC’s Cradle to
purchases. And the furniture industry, aware of their contribution to global
Cradle protocol exemplify the principle.
deforestation and climate change, and the huge potential to help preserve
Avoid hybrids made from an insepara-
dwindling rainforests, is producing more eco-friendly furniture. For smart choices,
ble amalgam of materials, difficult both
start with the list below.
to repair and recycle.
1. Choose certified 3. Buy bamboo.
sustainable wood.
Bamboo includes a family of fast-
6. Seek furniture
Because trees absorb carbon diox-
growing, versatile grasses that can be
that’s durable and
ide and produce oxygen, cool Earth’s
flattened into flooring, molded into
fixable.
surface, hold soil in place and provide
furniture, pressed into veneers or sliced
habitat, deforestation produces devas-
to make window blinds. Most bam-
Tough, repairable items are less likely
tating consequences. Wood furniture
boo is grown in China, with few or no
to end up in the landfill. Although
made from sustainably harvested forests
pesticides.
initially more expensive, they’re more
cost-effective than flimsier products and
and tree farms or from reclaimed wood,
is the responsible choice. Look for 4. embrace recycled
can be passed along to others.
furniture certified by the Forest Steward-
metal and plastic.
ship Council (see FSC.org).
7. look for low-
Furniture made from recycled plastics,
aluminum and other metals requires toxicity furniture.
2. Find furniture
less processing and fewer resources, Furnishings made of synthetic ma-
made with reclaimed
while supporting the market for recy- terials or treated with synthetic sub-
cled materials. stances, such as flame retardants and
materials.
Some furniture is reclaimed from old
Green furniture can be stylish
homes, furniture or factory scraps, or
resurrected from river bottoms (logs lost
and kind to the environment.
in transport to sawmills) and reservoirs
(forested areas submerged in creation
of man-made dams or lakes). Look for
the Rainforest Alliance’s Rediscovered
Wood Certification label.
2 Collier / Lee Counties
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