| the threat of global warming looming large, more and | | | | biological diversity and establishment of long-term |
| more people are switching over to energy-efficient | | | | management practices. |
| appliances and environmentally-friendly products. | | | | Recycled materials are also beginning to find favor in |
| Offices are large consumers of furniture and in | | | | the office. Office chairs are now available that are |
| keeping with the green revolution it is important that | | | | being constructed of material that is made from |
| office furniture should be eco-friendly. The primary | | | | recycled soda bottles. |
| concerns to be considered when choosing | | | | It is equally important that office furniture should also |
| eco-friendly office furniture are the choice of wood | | | | meet indoor environmental pollution standards. Certain |
| and the chemicals involved in the manufacture of the | | | | finishes, glues and stains create emissions of volatile |
| furniture. | | | | organic compounds (VOC’s) that are largely |
| Hard wood has traditionally been the material of | | | | responsible for indoor air pollution. Eco-friendly office |
| choice for office furniture. However, with increasing | | | | furniture includes powder-based finishing coats that |
| pressure to save precious natural rainforest | | | | require less energy to manufacture, create less |
| resources, the new trend is to manufacture furniture | | | | waste and are VOC- free. Greenguard, a non-profit |
| only from woods obtained in an environmentally | | | | organization evaluates the effects of various |
| friendly manner. Most furniture makers are now | | | | products on the indoor air quality. Opting for furniture |
| committed to sourcing their wood only from lumber | | | | with a Greenguard certification ensures that only |
| companies that are known to indulge in sustainable | | | | low-emission materials that are non-polluting are used |
| forestry practices. | | | | in the product. |
| When buying office furniture, look for those that | | | | Business owners have recognized the importance of |
| have been certified by recognized authorities such as | | | | buying eco-friendly office furniture. With |
| the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). These | | | | furniture-makers acknowledging the need to comply |
| certifications guarantee that the wood has been | | | | with the ever-increasing demand, eco-friendly office |
| sourced from well-managed forests that meet the | | | | furniture is now easily available in a wide range of |
| principles of environmental conservation including | | | | designs and eco-friendly materials. |
| maintenance of ecosystems, conservation of | | | | |