Sustainable forests are one of the key buzz words currently floating around in the business industry, particularly when it comes to furniture. However, not all products marketed as using ‘sustainable’ wood are particularly eco-friendly and some sustainable woods are more sustainable than others.

Here at GreenUpAndGo.com we have put together a list of points you should consider when buying a sustainable wood product.

What does Sustainable Wood actually mean?
Usually, sustainable wood comes from forests that are carefully managed so that they don’t become clear cut. Sustainable wood can also mean wood that has been recycled from unwanted buildings or furniture. There are a number of different programs which state how sustainable forests should have the trees cut down and their timber used.

Certification
One of the first things you should look out for is proper certification which is normally in the form of a label. One of the best, and most stringent, programs is from the Forest Stewardship Council (FWC) and is a program which most environmental groups trust. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is another good program to look for. The SFI don’t just certify – they also train loggers to harvest wood in an environmentally safe manner.

Wood Source
Whether the product does or doesn’t have certification, it is important that the consumer finds out where the wood originated from. Most of the wood from places such as North America will be harvested in a sustainable way. Woods such as yellow pine, redwood or cedar generally don’t need certification.

Care must be taken if the wood has been harvested in countries which don’t have stringent environmental guidelines as this wood is more likely to have come from unsustainable forests. If you are unsure about the source of the wood, ask to have a product which is FSC-certified.

Bamboo Products
Bamboo is a fast-growing wood which means bamboo forests re-grow quickly. Bamboo is also an easy wood – it requires little pesticide or fertilizer in order to grow. Bamboo is a fantastic wood for lightweight furniture such as coffee tables or decorative furniture but is not a good wood for heavy use furniture that requires a lot of strength (such as chairs or tables).

In order for bamboo to be used in heavier-weight products, fillers and resins are used to increase it’s strength. A lot of these fillers and resins are not environmentally friendly therefore buying in a different wood may be the better option.

Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood is wood that has previously been used for something else that is no longer needed. Reclaimed wood often comes from old property or furniture. Reclaimed wood is an excellent way of recycling wood and reclaimed wood products are good products to buy.

Paints and Stains
When buying a product, ask what paint or stain has been used to finish off the piece of furniture. If possible, ensure that the paint or stain is low-VOC (volatile organic compound) or HAP-free (hazardous air pollutant free) as these give off the least amount of gas which protects the quality of the air in your home and won’t damage the environment.

Cost
Environmentally friendly woods don’t have to be expensive – retailers such as Ikea use a lot of sustainable wood products. Shop around and you might be surprised at the amount of retailers who sell environmentally friendly products at affordable prices.

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