Choose woods wisely
Copyright 2000 The Houston Chronicle
December 17, 2000
Is a piece of furniture with a sticker proclaiming it to be made from "plantation wood" environmentally preferable to furniture made from unmarked hardwoods? - Cathal Spelman, Dublin, Ireland
According to Mark Comolli of Smartwood, an independent certifying agency for sustainably harvested wood products, "Just because wood comes from a plantation doesn't mean it's environmentally sound." If the accreditation is from the respected Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), then the product can be recommended. If not, it may be just another misleading claim of eco-friendliness.
A plantation, loosely defined as a large group of trees under cultivation, has varying environmental impacts. To meet the FSC's guidelines, a plantation must demonstrate that it is beneficial to the local community and committed to biological conservation. Smartwood says only those products that are certified and bear the FSC logo can make claims to sustainable forest management.
When shopping for wood products, check to see if the organization certifying the product is accredited by the FSC. If that certification is missing, contact the FSC and ask about the specific item.
Contacts: Smartwood, Goodwin Baker Building, 61 Millet St., Richmond, VT
05477, 802-434-5491, www.smartwood.org.
Forest Stewardship Council, 1134 29th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20007, 202-342-0413.