Save the Rainforests: FSC-Certified Wood
Home remodeling is the largest use of wood products in the US. More than 64 trees are used to create the wood products in an average home, and that's not even including the lumber used for framing the structure! While using large amounts of wood in building is a universal practice and will likely continue to be so, there are ways to reduce environmental impact on our forests. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests. When thoughtfully and sustainably managed, forests can thrive and benefit their surrounding inhabitants, while providing us with valuable resources for our homes at the same time.
Unfortunately, in some countries, as much as 80% of timber is harvested illegally, often involving the violation of human rights and destruction of protected forests. This is especially troublesome in tropical forests, which are vital to the existence of millions of indigenous people, and provide rich benefits in the form of food, medicine, and other natural resources. The FSC provides strict standards that have to be met for a forest and the timber it produces to be designated as "FSC certified." Some characteristics of FSC certified forests include:
- Clearly defined, long-term land tenure and use rights
- Recognition and respect of indigenous peoples' rights and the well-being of forest workers and local communities
- Equitable use and sharing of benefits derived from the forest
- Reduction of environmental impact of logging activities
- Continual assessment of the conditions of the forest, management activities, and their social and environmental impacts
- Appropriate management of areas that need special protection (e.g. cultural or sacred sites, habitat of endangered animals or plants)
By utilizing wood with the FSC-certified label, you can rest assured that you are buying from a forest that avoids highly hazardous pesticides and genetically modified trees, does not convert natural forests, respects the rights of indigenous peoples, and maintains high social and environmental conservation values.
Cork is the New Wood
For an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional hardwood flooring, try cork! Cork is a rapidly renewable material that is taken off the outside of cork oak trees without harming them. The cork bark continually grows back and can be harvested every 6-9 years. Cork is as durable as wood (the oldest cork floor installation in the US is in a church near Chicago dating from 1898), and can be easily repaired if damaged. Cork is appropriate for almost any room too: it's soft, hypoallergenic, sound absorbing, and provides great insulation, making it a viable alternative to wood or carpet. Sustainable Flooring even manufactures a water-resistant cork product (VersaCork™) that can be used in bath and shower areas! Cork is not only environmentally sound, but also comes in endless sizes, shapes, and color options, so it's very easy to create a custom design. Not a bad showing for a product once relegated to wine-stoppers!