The Green Streak

Choosing sustainable furniture has wide-ranging impacts, from rain forests to landfills to labor and even to our health. When many customers think about their leather sectional, they usually ask themselves, "How does it look?" and "How much does it cost?" Now many consumers are asking a third question: "How was it made?"

But at one time, "sustainable" and "stylish" may have been mutually exclusive goals for home furnishings shoppers. Not anymore.

Consumers shopping for environmentally friendly leather couches furnishings don't have to settle for bland. A wide range of new products have been introduced to inspire "green" consumers with new designs that deliver comfort, style and sustainability.

A growing number of brands have embraced environmental responsibility and now offer designs for every consumer's taste and budget. From renewable materials and natural-fiber fabrics to more earth-friendly foam cushions, new eco-friendly features in furniture has hit retail stores in the past year.

"Furniture manufacturers take environmental responsibility very seriously," says Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance. "Many companies in our industry have promoted conservation and environmental stewardship for decades – and this commitment is part of the reason we have almost the same amount of forestland in the United States today as we had in 1900."

But it is the astounding flurry of research and development into more environmentally friendly components over the past year that has impacted today's selection of "green" home furnishings. "We're really proud of the amazing work being done on the development of everything from adhesives and foam to fabric and finishes," says Hirschhaut. "From classic to contemporary and everything in between, consumers will find an impressive array of eco-friendly furnishings available."

How can furniture be made eco-friendly?

If buying sustainable products is one of your top concerns, consider the following ways that manufacturers are creating and processing eco-friendly furniture and what you can look for in your future purchases.

Sustainable Materials

The world's forest areas are shrinking at an alarming rate. Humans are responsible for the disappearance of more than half of our forests in only the last 200 years. Furniture-grade wood is often sourced from tropical rain forests, and some of the most diverse forests are destroyed in the process.

Many manufacturers are responding to this by buying only plantation-grown wood and wood that is sustainable. More sustainable woods such as bamboo or monkey pod wood are being used. Bamboo is renewable, durable, and versatile – and it's even harder than furniture-grade maple or oak. Many species of bamboo can grow two feet or more a day. When bamboo is responsibly harvested, it does not need to be replanted, because it will grow a new shoot from its extensive root system. This means that bamboo renews itself constantly, unlike hardwood trees, which, once cut, are gone forever.

Another recycled furniture material is poly-wood. Poly-wood products start as dairy containers and soda bottles once destined for the landfills. Once recycled, they are washed free of contamination, dried and ground into small flakes. The flakes can then be blended with color and foaming compounds and other additive to create a wood-like product that has exceptional resistance to moisture, corrosive substances, insects, and other environmental stresses. It does not absorb moisture, therefore, it will not rot, warp, splinter or crack. Additionally, Poly-Wood requires no waterproofing, staining, or similar maintenance when used in exterior applications.

Other manufacturers are using "repurposed" or "reclaimed" wood, such as the wood from very old, dismantled buildings and barns.

Finishes

Furniture manufacturers typically use finishes, paints, adhesives and other chemicals to assemble various types of furniture. These chemicals result in an air pollution in your home — it is caused by off-gassing, a process of emitting chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. And the bonding agents used in furniture made of pressed woods (like particle board) often have high formaldehyde content. According to the American Lung Association, these chemicals can be detected through symptoms, such as, eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, skin irritation, and fatigue. Coughing or shortness of breath can also signal the presence of VOC's.

Eco-friendly furniture manufacturers are using water-based paints, stains and finishes that contain low or no VOC's (such as shellac, beeswax, and milk paint). They are also reducing the use of glues, sealants and formaldehyde. Additionally, natural fabrics, organic cotton, recycled fabric content and toxin-free upholstery are better choices for reduced off-gassing.

Visit the following pages for more information on green furniture:

• Greenest City – Learn what construction practices need to be followed in order to call a piece of furniture "green."
• Tips for Buying Green Furniture (PDF) – Look over these tips before you throw out that old cradle or go shopping for new window shutters.
• Going Green Program – The official website for the U.S. Government's Purchasing Alliance and their dedication to erasing our carbon footprints.
• Furniture Donation Network – A charity program that collects used furniture, but only in the best of conditions.
• ReStore – Some tips to consider when buying green furniture.
• The Green Project – A retailer of disassembled building materials that promotes reuse. They even hold contests to see who can build the best piece of green furniture.
• Center for American Progress – Determining your needs in terms of buying green furniture and parting with old items in an eco-friendly manner.
• How to Green Your Furniture – An article that lists the top ten eco-friendly furniture tips and provides statistics based on furniture sales and money invested.
• What is Green Furniture? – If you're only going to buy furniture every now and then, why not invest in items that are good for the environment and for your health.
• Eco Mall – What is wrong with traditional furniture? After reading this article you will want "comfort without consequences."
• Stay Informed – A brief history of green furniture.
• The Daily Green – Eighteen examples of how green furniture can be gorgeous.
• Sierra Club – Tips for using eco-friendly furniture at home and what you should consider while you're out furniture shopping.