Weblog | SO Green

What does 'responsibly forested' mean

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:45:46 -0800

What does 'responsibly forested' mean, and why is it important?

Responsibly forested wood means that wood harvested from healthy forests is done so in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. This includes:

- Harvesting rates and clearing sizes do not exceed a forest's natural capacity to regenerate.

- Natural forest conditions needed for wildlife and healthy ecosystems function are maintained.

- Rare, threatened and endangered species and forest types are maintained and protected

- No forests are cleared and replaced by barren tree plantations

- Chemical use is minimized or eliminated

- Streams and rivers are protected from soil erosion that degrades water quality and fish habitat.

- Workers, communities and indigenous people benefit from the forestry operation, and their rights and interests are protected.

THE FORESTS ARE OUR EARTH'S LUNGS!

They help us breathe by creating oxygen and filtering pollutants from the air, and help stabilize the global climate by absorbing carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas. They soak up rainfall like giant sponges, preventing floods and purifying water that we drink.

They provide habitat for 90% of the plant and animal species that live on land, as well as being the homelands for many of the earth's last remaining indigenous cultures. They provide valuable resources like wood, rubber and medicinal plants, including plants used to create cancer drugs. Harvesting these resources provides employment for local communities.

ALMOST HALF OF THE WORLD'S ORIGINAL FORESTS HAVE BEEN CUT DOWN (APROX. 7.4 BILLION ACRES) AN AVERAGE OF 39.5 MILLION ACRES ARE ADDED TO THIS LOSS COLUMN EACH YEAR!

The destruction of forests releases tons of carbon dioxide (the main greenhouse gas and culprit behind global climate change) into the Earth's atmosphere.

THE U.S. LEADS THE WAY IN WOOD CONSUMPTION, representing almost one third of the global wood-buying market. According to a report by the World Wildlife Fund, THE WORLD'S WOOD NEEDS COULD BE MET BY ONE FIFTH OF THE EARTH'S FORESTS â€“ IF THESE FORESTS ARE MANAGED CORRECTLY!

FSC is an independent, international nonprofit organization whose membership is comprised of more than 500 environmental groups, progressive companies, forestry professionals, social scientists and groups representing labor, church and indigenous people's interests. They have established a set of international forest management standards, and offers certification only to those organizations that comply with these strict environmental and social standards.

http://www.fsc.org

Good Wood: How Forest Certification Helps the Environment

Forest certification is a seal of approval for wood and paper products, allowing consumers to use their buying power for good...read more from the NRDC

http://www.nrdc.org/land/forests/qcert.asp

What are 'V.O.C.'s in paint?

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:26:49 -0800

What are 'V.O.C.'s in paint and why don't we want them?

Indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air, and according to the EPA, is considered to be one of the top 5 hazards to human health. Paints and finishes are among the leading causes, releasing low-level toxic emissions into the air for years after application. They poison groundwater and contain ozone-depleting contaminants.

The source of these toxins is a variety of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), which, until recently, were essential to the performance of the paint. These are the fumes that you smell while you paint, and usually for several days after.

A VOC is an organic chemical that becomes a breathable gas at room temperature. Some examples of these are ethylene glycol, vinyl chloride and mercury. VOCs in paint usually come from the additives to the paint such as fungicides, biocides, color, and spreadability agents. These high levels of VOC's in paints can cause headaches, allergic reactions, and health problems in the very old, very young, and those with chronic illness.

Fortunately, new environmental regulations, and consumer demand, have led to the development of low-VOC and zero-VOC paints and finishes that are durable and cost-effective.

Because of all this, we all should want to paint with the good, healthy stuff!

Tips to help you buy paint in the future:

You can determine the VOC content of paint by reading the label. It is usually expressed in terms of grams per liter. The most environmentally friendly choice is to buy paint with no VOCs (that's what we use). But if the paint you need for a job contains VOCs, try to choose a paint with no higher than 250 grams per liter for latex, and if you must use oil-based paint, no higher than 350 grams per liter. These numbers are usually on the label or on the product literature.

Be sure to ventilate the area well, during and after painting. VOCs cling to fabrics and carpeting (synthetic carpeting and padding is itself one of the worst off-gassing products in most homes).

YOU VOTE WITH EACH DOLLAR YOU SPEND!

By supporting these low-VOC and zero-VOC paint companies, you are encouraging all paint companies to strive for healthier alternatives.

Why is Mango wood a sustainable choice?

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 12:15:45 -0800

What makes mango wood sustainable?

Mango trees are huge trees that are initially grown for their fruit. The trees can reach 60 to 100 feet in height and can grow up to three to five feet in diameter. However, once the trees reach this size, they stop producing fruit. The farmers cut these trees down in order to make room for new mango trees that can produce the fruit. Once the older trees are cut down, the mango wood is used for making wood products, providing additional revenue for the farmers and making good use of the resources.

Mango is unusual in that the wood comes in a number of shades, from very blond to very dark wood. The hardwood and pronounced grain make mango a beautiful wood for anything from tables, to stools, to bowls.

Why Bamboo?

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:57:59 -0800

Bamboo fiber is 100% made from bamboo through a high-tech process. The raw material bamboo is selected from non-polluted areas in Asia. The whole distilling and production process produces natural and eco- friendly fiber without any chemical additives. Bamboo fiber is also a unique biodegradable textile material. As a natural cellulose fiber it can be

100% biodegraded in soil by microorganisms and sunshine.

It is a common fact that bamboo can thrive naturally without using pesticide. Scientists have found that bamboo owns a unique anti-bacteria and bacteriostatic bio-agent. This substance is combined with bamboo cellulose during the process of being manufactured into bamboo fiber resulting in a naturally antibacterial fabric. This antibacterial property means fabrics stay fresh and keeps away odor causing bacteria. It is proven that wash after wash, bamboo fiber fabric still possesses excellent function of antibacteria. Bamboo fiber’s natural anti-bacteria does not cause skin allergy as can sometimes happen with chemical antimicrobial .

Another benefit of bamboo fiber is its unusual ability to breathe and ventilate. A cross-section of the bamboo fiber will show that it is filled with various micro-gaps and micro-holes, giving excellent moisture absorption and ventilation. With this unparalleled micro-structure, bamboo fiber fabrics can absorb and evaporate moisture in a split second, making people feel extremely cool and comfortable in the hot summer.

Bamboo fabrics are made from pure bamboo fiber yarns which have excellent wet permeability, moisture vapor transmission property, superior strength and durability over time, soft and comfortable hand, better drape, easy dying, and splendid colors. It is a newly founded, great prospective green fabric. Bamboo fiber is praised as " the natural, green and eco-friendly new-type textile material of 21st century" .

Elegant ~ Modern ~ Vintage and Eco-Chic

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:37:27 -0700

How can it be all of those???

Well let me tell you ......

THE COPPER TUB FOR TWO - Copper is an environmentally friendly material, and as a natural product, copper is almost totally recyclable. Around 40% percent of the total global consumption of refined copper is scrap-based. So its beauty is more than just skin-deep!

STONE FLOORS & COUNTER – All salvaged.

FURNITURE – Both the double sink vanity and the sit down vanity were purchased used, refinished, stained and waxed with earth friendly products.

MIRRORS & CHESTS – The custom made mirror over the double vanity and the two in-wall mirrored medicine chests were custom designed and made of recycled wood.

FAUCETS – All water saving fixtures.

WINDOW COVERINGS – Custom design and made of organic cotton linen.

LIGHT FIXTURES – Slightly used future antiques!

PAINT – Zero VOC paint.

MIRRORS - reflect ambient and artificial light, allowing for use of lower-wattage bulbs and fewer fixtures. Mirrors are easy to clean, longer lasting and do not release chemicals into the air.

IN-FLOOR HEAT - installed under the stone radiates upward keeping heat close to the body.

SKY LIGHTS - with low e-glass and argon gas between the panes provide the best insulation. Most importantly provide tons of natural lighting and reduces the need to turn on lights during the day.

LO-FLOW SHOWERHEAD - sprays large water droplets, producing robust showers while using less water.

WATER SAVING TOILET - uses half the water of the old models.