Five Questions to Ask When Buying Sustainable Furniture

Although sustainability is trendy right now, how can you tell if the product you are buying is sustainable?

The mission was the inspiration for the creation of our company. It is dedicated to saving the rainforest. Our wood furniture company uses only North American sustainably harvested wood. We have been able to guarantee this for 17 years. Celebrities and big brands are now making sustainability claims on their home goods. It can be difficult to determine if the products that you are using are truly eco-friendly, as there are so many brands and products now making sustainability claims.

We have compiled a list of tips for buying sustainable furniture to help you make informed decisions when shopping for furniture that is certified sustainably manufactured.

• Are the furniture pieces made from all-natural solid wood? Is the furniture made from plywood or particleboard? Solid wood furniture can last for generations, while particle board furniture is likely to be gone in five years.

• Where did the wood used in my furniture come from? It was grown in a sustainable forest or illegally harvested in the world’s rapidly disappearing rainforests. cherry , Oak, walnut are some of the local woods that can be sustainably harvested in America. Furniture made from exotic and tropical woods like teak, mahogany, and rosewood could have been illegally harvested from threatened rainforest habitats. They were brought to the USA with fake documentation that claimed FSC certification. To confirm that the wood is sustainably harvested, check with the furniture seller.

• Are toxic chemicals, dyes and other substances, such as glues, formaldehydes or finishes, safe for furniture? This is not just an indoor air quality issue but also an environmental one. Natural solid wood furniture should be made with non-toxic finishes, and adhesives that don’t off-gas. all finishes used by the craftspeople have no toxic ingredients!

• Is the furniture made in America? American-made furniture is made to higher standards than imports that are manufactured in cheap sweatshops overseas. You’re not only getting a better product, but also supporting the local economy.

• Does the furniture come with a lifetime guarantee Local furniture makers often make wood furniture that will last a lifetime. They happily back it up with a lifetime warranty. This is a great feature that can save you thousands in replacement costs over time.

These are just some of the questions that we recommend asking regarding your wood furniture in order to determine if it is sustainably made. (888-390-5571 can answer any questions you may have about our furniture or our sustainability promise. If you are passing through Southern Vermont, please consider stopping by our Showroom. We’d love for you to see the area.