Sustainable furniture starts with sustainable forestry. This is basically a concept of long term forest management where there is a plan to control what is harvested and what is left untouched. This is done to sustain vigorous ecosystems by protecting seed baring trees and old growth trees. Also the condition of the land and soil are taken into consideration on a long term basis to prevent human impacts like caused erosion and wildfires.
There are different ways materials are harvested for green furniture. Single selection cutting is one tactic used to imitate nature by choosing each tree individually to be harvested in a certain area to promote healthier forests for the future. The group selection method is similar; it’s when trees are chosen by a diameter standard, leaving trees of a certain age to maintain the natural environment. The shelterwood technique is where typically 15-20 trees are harvested per acre in areas where wind and other weather conditions could destroy the land if there was an inadequate amount of growth. Clearcut regeneration is practiced in areas that would be affected by natural disasters like fire or flood, where the land is cleared of trees and then new growth is encouraged either artificially or naturally. Another method used in this industry is to maintain passageways of dense forest between segments of harvesting areas connecting wildlife habitats to prevent a disruption in the ecosystems and allow seeds to be transferred by animals and insects.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a leading certification organization of eco friendly furniture that not only protects wildlife but works to maintain sustainable societies by improving wages, working conditions, and the health and well being of communities that practice sustainable forestry. When you buy FSC certified sustainable furniture you are not only contributing to the efforts and practices of logging companies, you are also supporting the workers and their families.
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