Responsible wood use is essential to protecting our planet. Consider your floors; for the last decade, the most popular flooring was been made from the hardwoods of Indonesia. As a result, 95 percent of Asia’s frontier forests are gone, and the remaining forests in Borneo and New Guinea are disappearing at an alarming rate. It’s the same in the Amazon rainforest and Redwood forests along the West Coast. Our forests are essentially disappearing.
A simple way to save them is to buy sustainable wood, either harvested from carefully managed forests or reclaimed from existing structures.
Look for the FSC label
The most respected label to consider for commercial lumber is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label. This international network of loggers, foresters and environmentalists has created a standard that encourages properly managed forests.
To receive FSC certification, companies must prove they are using non-GMO wood free from pesticides. Employees must be treated fairly and the local population respected, along with the wildlife. The FSC seal guarantees the company is not selling wood illegally harvested from protected zones.
There are now over 100 million hectares in more than 80 countries certified by FSC, and thousands of products carry the FSC trademark. Using this eco-friendly wood has become a criterion for receiving the coveted LEED certification in green buildings.
Where FSC wood is available
FSC wood is suitable for all types of projects. Prices are on par with standard wood prices but the quality is much better, particularly with furniture and paper products.
Consumers can find FSC lumber in most home centres and building supply dealers, including Home Depot under the Eco-Options label. Other retailers can be located at FSC Canada and with the FSC Certification Resource Center.
Own a piece of history with reclaimed wood
Another sustainable option for woodworking projects is reclaimed wood, which is essentially wood taken from old railroad tracks, wharves, factories and barns. It can also include fallen or dead trees. Like regular lumber, reclaimed wood is sold according to various grades and many of the manufacturers have received FSC certification.
Reclaimed wood is prized for several reasons. No two pieces are alike and each has an interesting history. Decades of aging make this wood extremely durable and stable, with no shrinkage, and since most reclaimed wood is from ancient, old-growth forests that were allowed to grow slowly, it has a fine, tight grain, free of knots.
The biggest drawback can be the price. Due to its scarcity and the labour involved to prepare it, reclaimed wood will be more expensive—two to three dollars more per square foot than commercial wood. However, its beautiful lustre and remarkable endurance makes it worth the extra money.
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