If you’re shopping for outdoor furniture for your deck or patio this spring, consider the benefits of purchasing furnishings made from sustainably harvested or recycled materials. Not only do they look great, but they’ve been made with the environment in mind—and they’re often incredibly durable too.
In the market for recycled materials? Look no further than the website for Gaiam, which sells furniture made from recycled iron, wine barrels, and soda bottles. Loll Designs hawks furnishings constructed of recycled plastic (and wood fiber composite—another eco-friendly option—too).
If you prefer the look of hardwood furnishings, look for chairs, tables, and the like constructed from Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood—the FSC supports environmentally and socially responsible forest management practices that promote healthy forests. Try products from Reforest Teak—their line of FSC-certified outdoor furniture is made from teak that is responsibly grown and harvested, and profits from the sale of the furniture go to ecological reforestation work in Central America.
If you’re being particularly conscientious in your search for environmentally friendly furnishings, selecting the right materials is only one step in the process. You’ll also want to think about the impact the production of the materials has on the environment, how long they’ll last, and what recycling options are available should you choose to get rid of them.
If you haven’t found what you want on the sites above, you can even find some eco-friendly furnishings at stores such as The Home Depot (look for their Eco Options items) and Crate and Barrel (their Eco Arbor line is made from FSC-certified plantation-grown eucalyptus).
Or check out the sustainable offerings of Maku Furnishings and Clean Air Gardening.
What sustainable materials do you swear by? Share here!
Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All
I don't know! They were highlighted by a designer at the Teen Spaces preconference last year. I am trying to contact someone who attended to get the info for you,..
-http://www.robcousens.com.au/
Posted by: furniture | October 07, 2008 at 03:31 AM
Great recommendations, Cale. I've always been intrigued by straw-bale houses but didn't realize they use the same techniques for building other things! Perhaps a post on straw bale homes is in order in the future ...
Posted by: Julie, The Home Know-It-All | May 22, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Straw!
...for fences:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2166991_build-straw-bale-fence.html
...for benches (scroll down to see):
http://www.sol-habitat.com/portfolio_1_1.htm
...and of course, homes and buildings:
http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/25/hoks-leed-gold-certified-straw-bale-building/
Posted by: Cale | May 21, 2008 at 08:20 AM