Tips for Selecting Environmentally Friendly Furnishing
Although many retailers will try to lure consumers with advertising that insinuates that their products are eco-conscious and their company is sincerely devoted to the green movement, not all such claims can be fully supported. So here are a few tips to help shoppers make that determination.
Buy Local
One of the first things to consider when looking for eco-friendly furnishings is how far they had to travel to get to you. Locally-sourced products not only contribute to the economy of your own community but they require less transportation - and transportation can dramatically increase the carbon footprint of any product, especially a heavy piece of furniture.
Recycle
Perhaps the easiest place to find local furnishings - regardless of where they were originally manufactured - is at estate sales, moving sales, and in the classified ads. Buying pre-owned furnishings and recycling them back into use keeps them from going to the landfill, and that is always a good idea.
Look for FSC Certification
When buying wooden furnishing, look for FSC-certified wood. This indicates that the wood was grown and harvested according to sustainable forest management principles. To earn FSC certification growers must comply with standards of adherence to such things as the respect for the rights of workers and indigenous people and the continued assessment and monitoring of environmental impact.
Choose Eco-Friendly Finishes
"VOC" refers to Volatile Organic Compounds, which are the smelly chemicals often found in conventional paints and varnishes. Most furnishings are painted or coated to protect them, so look for low VOC or zero-VOC finishes that are healthier for your home and for the environment in general.
Consider the Source
When shopping for furnishings, look for those that are made of recycled materials and materials that can be easily replaced and renewed. Bamboo is a great example of an eco-friendly material because it is easy to grow and is quickly replenished after harvesting.
Ultimately it is up to the consumer to know how to select furnishings that are genuinely environmentally friendly, while separating the hype from the facts. Follow these tips and ask questions of retailers and you will be much better informed so that you can furnish your home while also helping to sustain the earth - which is the one home we all live in and share together.
