June 29, 2010
We have worked together to create a sustainable base for your home through past articles on building products and space planning. Now for the fun part – furnishing and decorating! What characteristics do you hunt for in your search for greener home furnishings?
To start out, the greenest solution is to purchase previously loved pieces locally or as close to home as possible. Buying locally cuts down on transportation emissions. As you know, these products have already off-gassed, and you’ll have done your part to keep them out of a landfill.
Ask yourself if you really need new furniture. Can you bring new life to an old piece? It’s simple to repaint (using non-toxic paint or other finishes), and adding new hardware can completely change the look of a piece. Take a look around and see what you can repurpose!
If you must buy new, here are some things to look for:
Keep an eye out for items with the Sustainable Furnishing Council’s seal of approval. SFC is a non-profit organization working with manufacturers, designers and retailers to promote sustainable practices through education/awareness and assistance in adopting green practices. In the furniture market, leading culprits are finishes that off-gas, wood sourced from unmanaged forests, carbon emissions due to manufacturing processes and transportation, waste stream pollutants and non-recycled content. Select manufacturers who use best manufacturing processes, whether they’re buying green power, reusing energy produced in the manufacturing process, reducing waste material, keeping toxic water runoff out of the ecosystem, etc.
Look for products and manufacturers that use low- or no-VOC finishes (water-based stains, milk paint, etc.), renewable resources, reclaimed lumber, and certified wood from carefully managed forests or fast growing wood species or grasses. Many companies are working to incorporate recycled content as well. When looking at recycled content, product with post-consumer waste is the better alternative since, in theory, this product is headed for a waste facility. Also keep an eye out for reduced use of formaldehyde, glues and sealants, natural fabrics and minimal packaging.
Watch for products made with wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC is a non-profit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC sets high standards that ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable way.
Another option is to have furniture built especially for you by local craftsmen. You can work closely with these artisans to create exactly what you’re looking for (size, shape, function and color) – using locally-grown or reclaimed wood and environmentally-friendly finishes, of course! Custom furniture is often more affordable than you’d think, and it’s a great way to acquire pieces you’ll keep for a lifetime. Working with a local furniture maker saves on embodied energy, too – just think of the energy saved by not purchasing a table that was manufactured on the other side of the world and transported here by ship, rail and truck.
Last but not least, when creating green interiors, purchase pieces that you love and that have lasting value. The longer you keep and use an item, the greener it becomes. It is kept out of the landfill, you are not interrupting the environment with new production, and you save money and time. Buy what you love with longevity and quality in mind.
Resources:
Sustainable Furnishings Council: http://www.sustainablefurnishings.org/
Forest Stewardship Council: http://www.fscus.org/