Advice On How To Purchase Eco Friendly Furniture

by Julia Ritzenthaler, Unique Eco Furniture

Furniture is referred to as eco friendly based on how it is produced and how that production impacted, or rather, didn’t impact the environment. Everything from the process of harvesting the wood to production of upholstery fabric is a factor in whether furniture is environmentally friendly or not. Since several manufacturing methods are usually involved in producing furniture it can be challenging to find pieces that certified as environmentally friendly. With the availability of furniture online, however, finding eco friendly furniture is much easier than it used to be.

When shopping for and choosing environmentally friendly furniture, look for certified woods like Smart Wood; meaning the wood comes from producers that do not chemically treat the wood and they work to maintain protected areas. Smart Wood is just one example of many types of forestry guidelines that require producers to meet strong environmental, economic, and social performance standards, and these certifications are usually indicated on environmentally friendly furniture. Another option is to look for items that use wood and other items that weren’t moved over long distances—often referred to as going local.

Another popular sustainable furniture material to look for is bamboo. It is known to be one of the greenest materials because it grows and renews itself quickly and doesn’t call for pesticides. Other environmentally friendly furniture materials include glass and reclaimed or recycled items.

For foam filled and fabric covered furniture pieces, you should also consider the type of fabric, treated foams, and fabric dyes involved in the process. Try to look for organically grown cottons, use of natural fibers, and environmentally friendly dyes.

Once you’ve purchased your new furniture, consider the disposal of your old. Environmentally friendly ways to do this include; handing down to a family member, selling it at a second hand shop, or donating to a charity like a women’s shelter.

The advantages of buying eco friendly furniture are many. Selecting eco friendly products is good for you and for the earth. As living a green lifestyle becomes the trend, and as with any trend or new way of thinking, it will evolve and grow and environmentally friendly furniture will only become more widely available and affordable.

This article has been provided by Julia Ritzenthaler, owner and founder of several online boutique home furnishing stores including http://www.UniqueEcoFurniture.com visit or call 1-866-526-1843 for more information.

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