What is Natural & Ecological Furniture?
Natural and ecological furniture, an increasingly popular choice, is furniture designed and made to minimize its impact on the environment and to avoid the use of toxic materials that can be bad for human health. Does this Spark an idea?
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Sustainably Harvested Hardwood
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Ecological furniture should use sustainably harvested wood and should be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The U.S. International Trade Commission has estimated that as much as 30 percent of hardwood sold in the U.S. is harvested illegally, often in Indonesia, the Amazon, the Congo Basin or Russia. Using sustainably harvested woods can mean using softer but fast growing trees like pine or ash.
Recycled Woods
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It is possible to make furniture from reclaimed wood that has been removed from old houses, barns or other structures.
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Bamboo
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Bamboo, a grass not a tree, grows very quickly (up to 24 inches a day), is incredibly strong and is a popular choice for ecological and natural furniture.
Fabric
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Natural and ecological furniture also uses fabrics like organic cotton and wool that have fewer negative effects on the environment than synthetic fabrics such as polyester.
Paint and Varnish
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Many commonly used paints and varnishes contain chemicals like tolulene that can cause respiratory and other health problems.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit wooden furniture design image by araraadt from Fotolia.com
