When shopping for furniture, environmentally focussed consumers will keep the planet and their health in mind. If consumers or their family members are chemically sensitive, for example, there's more than design to think about. Is the furniture made with lots of bonding agents or does it have reduced formaldehyde content? If the priority is ecology, consumers will be searching for furniture made from materials that are completely natural and biodegradable, or made from recycled materials.
Recycled-content furniture is an integral part of the ecological picture because it makes great use of the waste created each day. Don't discard material because it's not natural; it's already here, transformed from its original, natural state to the plastic (or whatever) it is now. Heirloom antiques are also good ecological choices- longevity is an important aspect of being green. Because antiques have been well cared for, valued and used through the generations, acquiring an heirloom is an excellent method of recycling. Instead of making inexpensive purchases, consider saving up for a special piece of furniture whose quality and beauty will be valued for generations to come.
If antiques aren't your style, look for sustainable, nontoxic materials in newly manufactured furniture. If you buy new wood furniture, ask whether the wood is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which means the wood was sustainably harvested and has a documented chain of control. Other elements to consider for health and environmental impacts include the finish on wood, adhesives, batting, upholstery fabric, fire retardants and coatings for waterproofing and soiling prevention. Most companies that are eco- or green-minded have addressed many of these issues.
Another thing to consider when shopping is the production chain. Be aware, as well, that the decisions you make affect the people who manufacture these products and materials. Synthetic materials and adhesives that may be relatively benign by the time they make it to your home can be quite toxic during the manufacturing process or cultivation. For example, conventionally grown cotton represents only 6 to 10 percent of the world's crops but uses 35 to 40 percent of the world's pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. The cotton in most clothing is produced this way, and the same is true of linens, bedding and upholstery fabric.
As consumers demand and purchase more organically grown and untreated cotton and other fibers, destructive agricultural practices will gradually shift to sustainable ones. And with greater consumer demand, the cost of sustainably grown fibers will decline. This is better for the planet, the farm workers, and you and your family.
