North American wood products are certified by two organizations, SmartWood and Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). These organizations certify forest lands (and all wood products developed therein) based on the Forest Stewardship Council (FCS) standards. The FSC protects indigenous peoples' rights, natural habitats and ecosystems, and the environmental impact of forest management. You'll know when your wood materials are FSC-certified; the manufacturer will proudly display that information. Other materials are certified by less stringent standards. If you truly advocate sustainable forestry, look for FSC-certified or reclaimed wood materials below.
The EPA reported in 2003 that only about 5.2% of plastic municipal waste was recycled. That's 25.3 million tons in the landfill, where it takes up about one-fourth the space. Conventional plastics are petroleum-based and break down very slowly; wasted plastic will persist for hundreds or even thousands of years. Plus, the manufacturing of plastics releases toxic pollutants and greenhouse gas. Biodegradable plastics are extremely important for the Earth’s future, and you can incorporate them into green construction. Check out the plastic materials below, which are natural polymer or synthetic biopolymer-based and come from natural materials. Make sure that your materials can break down and are renewable over time.
The Westside Road project, by architects Dowling Kimm Studios, is a magnificent gem of a home set atop a hill overlooking woods the Russian... Continue Reading »
When it comes to flooring for your home, bamboo flooring is a great alternative to hardwood flooring. Bamboo is a resource that has... Continue Reading »
“PaperStone,” sounds like a bit of an oxymoron. Paper. Stone? Uh, kind of like “questionable answer,” right? Not so much. PaperStone, a... Continue Reading »
While the beauty of the wood floors manufactured and marketed by EcoTimber may easily speak for themselves, the company places a greater... Continue Reading »
Since 1981, Crossroads Recycled Lumber has employed sustainable building practices for both residential and commercial projects, most notably through... Continue Reading »
Fiber Tech Polymers: Composite Fencing With Real Wood Beauty For the past ten years, California company Fiber Tech Polymers, LLC has... Continue Reading »
Recycled Barn Wood For Modern Beauty Black's Farmwood has been at it for more than a decade now. They reclaim wood from old decrepit... Continue Reading »
From the start the ArtHaus folk's intent was to go for LEED for Homes Platinum on this gut-rehab project, a lofty goal for a rehab and... Continue Reading »
The only hardwood flooring to be certified by the Cradle-to-Cradle Certification, Shaw’s Epic Hardwood flooring is a gorgeous, eco-friendly... Continue Reading »
This was the first house I lived in when I moved to Oakland. The home was built in 1912 so it was in need of many upgrades. The first... Continue Reading »
Want really “green”, that is, recycled wood? Want a floor/deck/ceiling with beauty and class? For larger projects like decks and floors,... Continue Reading »
We don’t think about plywood flooring as particularly “green”, because in many cases its adhesives have formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals... Continue Reading »
Forbo marmoleum flooring is made from linseed oils, pigments, pine flour and pine rosin on top of a jute backing, much like it was 150... Continue Reading »
"No Trees Ever Cut Down" Natural Cork, part of the US Floors product line, offers a wide variety of sustainable flooring products made... Continue Reading »
There's already been a review of composite decking here, so I won't go into the pros and cons too much. But there is one con that... Continue Reading »
Endurawood--wooden countertopsThere are so many great entries here about eco-friendly countertops, but what if you want the beautiful classic... Continue Reading »
Since its founding in 1986, Panamerican Woods has earned high marks in quality hardwood flooring manufacturing and industrial-scale... Continue Reading »
Structural Insulated Panels: Framing for an energy-efficient homeAs a green contractor or new homeowner, it can be tough to choose the best... Continue Reading »
High-quality furniture requires high-quality wood. Many of the major wood supply companies can execute massive orders under tough deadlines,... Continue Reading »
It’s about time that your outdoor landscaping products reflect your commitment to a sustainable lifestyle. AERT, a company as green-minded... Continue Reading »
Ready to replace your old floors? Linoleum is a great material for high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, recreation rooms, family... Continue Reading »
In a classic case of adding insult to injury, hundreds of FEMA trailers were recalled from Hurricane Katrina flood victims when it was discovered... Continue Reading »
Like it or not, most lumber companies are desecrating our world’s forests. Rather than supporting companies that violate forest ecosystems,... Continue Reading »
EcoTimber is based in Richland, California. They are committed to preserving our forests and have 500 authorized dealers around the country.... Continue Reading »
For new designer wood materials to work with on your next project, keep an eco-friendly eye open for products that don’t contain toxins.... Continue Reading »
Old Growth Riverwood offers eco-friendly wood products for your home or business. Flooring Countertops Mantles Custom Trims Furniture... Continue Reading »
Adding a deck to your home can be a real asset in terms of enjoyment now and future re-sell value later. Planning the design and choosing... Continue Reading »