July
13
Tips for Buying Eco-Friendly Furniture
Posted by dwblog . Published on 13 July 2010, No Comments Received
The Sierra Club offers great tips for buying eco-friendly green furniture:
When shopping, look for
- Certified wood. If you are buying new furniture, look for wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). That’s an assurance that it came from forestry operations that meet strong environmental, social, and economic performance standards.
- Other eco-friendly options. Some bamboo processing options are less environmentally friendly than others, but, on the whole, bamboo is considered one of the greenest materials because it’s fast growing and doesn’t require pesticides. Other eco-friendly options include metal and glass.
- Reclaimed or recycled materials. Lately, furniture is being made of reclaimed wood, recycled metal, and recycled plastic. Keep in mind, however, that furniture made before 1978 may have lead-based paint or finishes. And, polyurethane foam may emit more flame retardants and other chemicals as it ages, so an older piece of foam may have higher emissions.
- Go local. Do your best to find materials that weren’t transported long distances.
- Low or no VOCs. Furniture can taint your indoor air through toxic finishes or adhesives. Choose paints, stains, and other finishes that are water based, with the lowest possible volatile organic compounds (VOC). And look for formaldehyde-free composite wood. A single piece of high-emitting furniture can elevate formaldehyde levels enough to cause eye, nose, throat, or skin irritation or headaches, fatigue, and respiratory problems. Placing a piece of furniture outside when you first get it can minimize the fumes, since emissions are generally highest right after furniture is manufactured. But the emissions may continue at low levels for a couple of years.
- Certification. Several organizations offer air-quality certifications for furnishings. Greenguard is the most widely recognized.
