Forest Green
Copyright (c) 2008 Virginia Ginsburg
With green products swiftly making their way into everyday consumer products, icons of trees and the leaves can be seen everywhere as symbols of environmentally conscious products.
But you may be surprised at how it can directly affect the trees to make green purchases. Scientists estimate that we are losing more than 137 species of plants and animals every day due to rainforest deforestation. This deforestation is occurring in part to support the furniture market. Tropical hardwoods like teak, mahogany, rosewood and many other woods used for furniture and other wood products are in high demand, even if their supply decreases.
In addition to deforestation, the furniture industry is a major consumer of Compounds Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are found in almost all the finishes and paints. Conventional lacquer is one of the most dangerous in terms of emissions of VOCs. Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) and particleboard, which are commonly used in less expensive furniture construction, commonly contain carcinogens urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde.
In response to the dangers posed on a global and local scale, an industry association nonprofit called the Sustainable Furniture Council was formed in 2006 to promote sustainable practices among manufacturers, retailers and consumers. The organization is leading the charge to increase awareness of the issue of sustainability in the furniture and construction to assist companies in adopting good practices and help consumers become more educated about the issues involved.
Members of the Association to take action to achieve the following:
1. Minimize emissions carbon
2. Minimize the waste stream pollutants
3. Avoid using recycled content
4. Avoid the use of primary materials from unsustainable sources
The next time you are in the market for wood products, consider the following guidelines:
1. Where does wood come from?
You want to look for wood that has been legally harvested from responsibly managed forests. Whenever possible look for reclaimed or recycled wood. Also available a series of fast-growth forests, including bamboo, that are neither threatened nor threaten other species in production.
2. Wood is certified by a third party?
In addition to the Sustainable Furniture Council, you can seek certification from other third parties including the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
3. Is the manufacturer working to reduce energy consumption?
In addition to the real costs of energy production, take into account the distance that your wood has traveled. Cargo ships have become one of the nation's leading sources of air pollution, threatening the the health of millions.
4. Where was the furniture made?
Look for products that were made near his home and source of raw materials from within 500 miles. This will reduce the distance traveled and also support initiatives that are working to improve the sustainable furniture industry as a whole.
5. Are high volatile organic compound (VOC) used to create the finished product?
Varnishes and lacquers are the most common culprits, but many paintings also contain high levels of volatile organic compounds. Look for water-based finishes that have few or no VOCs.
Sustainable Furniture support will have a big impact inside the health of your home as well as the world as a whole. Another advantage is that many of the sustainable furniture products are beautifully designed. You can find an extensive list of options http://www.greenpeople.org/Furnishing.html.
Sustainable furniture may also have some interesting stories associated with it. For example, one company is currently advertising for products manufactured Douglas Fir that was deconstructed from warehouses at the Alameda Naval Air Station and Redwood water tanks out of service at Camp Pendleton. As well as receiving beautiful sustainable furniture, you'll find a little history, too.
About the Author:
Virginia Ginsburg is an expert on green living and socially-conscious investing. In addition to writing about sustainable products, she runs Green Baby Gifts http://www.greenbabygiftsonline.com , which provides ready-to-go, beautiful gifts for new babies.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Green Furniture
|
|
Jordan Retro Forest Green 14s $30.00 |
|
|
ORIGINAL OIL PAINTING FLOWERS TEXTURED ART YELLOW BIG TREE BRANCH GREEN FOREST $345.00 |
|
|
Savane Cargo Walking/Casual/Everyday Forest Green Shorts Pants 44 Cotton NICE! $13.99 |
|
|
Kenyon Nylon Repair Tape – Forest Green. 3″x18″ $2.99 |
|
|
ALLURING FOREST GREEN ZOISITE SILVER PENDANT 2.25 IN $0.99 |
|
|
BERNARDO FOREST GREEN SUEDE LEATHER DRESS SHIRT JACKET BLAZER TOP COAT XL EUC $36.10 |
|
|
Red Wing 10″ Ceramastone Plate Hand Painted 227 Greenwichstone Forest Green $4.95 |
|
|
1960′s -1970′s(?) Forest Green SIMBA Soda Bottle $0.99 |
|
|
`The Green Man` Pewter Pendant / Necklace Forest $24.99 |
|
|
Vase Forest Green by ALR Co R 19 Round Shape Ruffle Top Vintage Home Decor $9.95 |
|
|
NWT Hue Cargo Leggings Size Medium Forest Green $8.99 |
|
|
15/01/2005 Forest Green Rovers v Aylesbury United [FA Trophy] . No obvious fault $6.31 |
|
|
london pottery , Forest Green , 2 cup tea pot $6.99 |
|
|
REQUEST JEANS HEAVYPREMIUM CARGO SHORTS 18 FOREST GREEN NWT $14.99 |
|
|
Vintage Anchor Hocking Forest Green ROLY POLY JUICE GLASS $5.00 |
|
|
GRANDMAS FOREST GREEN WITH FLOWERS BLENDER 100 % COTTON PRINT QUILTING FABRIC $1.97 |
|
|
forest green Kambaba Jasper silver pendant, size 2 inch $0.99 |
|
|
Every Good and Perfect Gift James 1:17 Nursery Kid’s Vinyl Wall Decals Stickers $11.00 |
|
|
Every Good and Perfect Gift James 1:17 Nursery Kid’s Vinyl Wall Decals Stickers $16.00 |
|
|
Every Good and Perfect Gift James 1:17 Nursery Kid’s Vinyl Wall Decals Stickers $22.50 |
|
|
Banana Republic Forest Green Silk Belted Cocktail Dress Ladies Size M Petite $24.99 |
|
|
Wolfe Brothers Metalic Forest Grn Face Paint 30g Makeup $11.95 |
|
|
EXCELLENT FOREST GREEN RUSSIAN SERPENTINE SILVER PENDANT 1.75 IN $0.99 |
|
|
CAMBRIDGE CAPRICE FOREST GREEN FOOTED SHELL BOWL $29.99 |
|
|
6 pieces Forest or Hunter Green Leather hides 4″x6″ Great for Crafts $7.99 |
|
|
Vintage Forest Green Glass 8 Point Spine Candy Bowl $0.99 |
|
|
STUNNING 300 KPSI 4′X16′ IVORY&FOREST GREEN RUNNER TABRIZ REVIVAL RUG, SH1040 $1,650.00 |
|
|
16/12/2006 Forest Green Rovers v Yeading [FA Trophy] . No obvious faults, unless $6.31 |
|
|
FOREST GREEN – Sugarflair Edible Blossom Tints Food Colour Colouring Dust Powder $3.49 |
|
|
We R Faux Leather 3-Ring Binder 8.5″X11″-Forest Green $29.72 |
|
|
We R Faux Leather 3-Ring Binder 12″X12″-Forest Green $36.36 |
|
|
6+y CRAFTEX FOREST AND MINT GREEN GOLD DRAPERY UPHOLSTERY Fabric $25.00 |
|
|
PUMA PWR-C TT 1.10 Track Jacket / TN7003 / Forest Green/ NWT – Men’s LARGE $29.99 |
|
|
Keep West Virginia WV Parks Green Prevent Forest Fires Painted Metal Sign Nature $32.00 |
|
|
Anchor Hocking Forest Green Sherberts-3 $11.99 |
|
|
NEW HUE Cargo Legging Leggings Pants Forest Olive Green Small $23.95 |
|
|
BANANA REPUBLIC Mens XL V-Neck Shirt EEUC Forest Green $12.99 |
|
|
Mens IZOD Button Up Cardigan V-Neck Forest Brown Green Sweater L/S XLT TG/XG $24.99 |
|
|
GORGEOUS 300 KPSI 4′X20′ IVORY&FOREST GREEN RUNNER TABRIZ REVIVAL RUG, SH1038 $2,008.00 |
|
|
Vtg…DARK FOREST GREEN…GOLDEN FLEECE…WORK…JACKET…W HOOD…sz 40 U.S.A $22.99 |
|
|
Feather Boa – Forest Green & White $4.00 |
|
|
rich forest green glass silver necklace, size 16.5 inch $0.99 |
|
|
14/10/1995 Forest Green Rovers v Sittingbourne [FA Trophy] (Writing On Front). N $4.73 |
|
|
Patio Living Concepts Bahama Weave 30″ Table Outdoor Lamp with Sunbrella Shade $153.60 |
|
|
Patio Living Concepts Bahama Weave 30″ Table Outdoor Lamp with Sunbrella Shade $153.60 |
|
|
Patio Living Concepts Bahama Weave 30″ Table Outdoor Lamp with Sunbrella Shade $153.60 |
|
|
Patio Living Concepts Bahama Weave 30″ Table Outdoor Lamp with Sunbrella Shade $153.60 |
|
|
Patio Living Concepts Monterey Floor Lamp in Bronze Antique Beige Linen 20947 $377.60 |
|
|
11/01/2003 Forest Green Rovers v Barnet [FA Trophy] . No obvious faults, unless $6.31 |
|
|
Patio Living Concepts San Juan 34″ Table Lamp in Black Antique Beige Linen $169.60 |