Using materials recovered from the waste stream typically results in less waste, pollution, and energy use than using virgin materials. From an environmental standpoint, post-consumer is typically considered preferable to pre-consumer recycled content because post-consumer recycled materials are more likely to have been diverted from landfills.
In some cases, we consider products with recycled content green but with some caveats regarding where they should be used. For example, rubber flooring made from recycled automobile tires should not be used in most fully enclosed indoor spaces due to the likelihood of VOC emissions.
Recycling can have downsides. For example, some studies show that curbside collection programs and some recycling processes use more energy than they save. Closed-loop recycling is generally preferable to “down-cycling,” in which a lower-grade material is produced—but due to contamination of waste streams and the difficulty of extracting high-value ingredients, down-cycling may be as good as it gets. At times recycling can re-introduce hazardous components. Some products, like copper and aluminum, include a high level of recycled content as a matter of course—which we applaud, but don’t consider justification for listing in GreenSpec. As more complete life-cycle information on recycled materials and processes becomes available, we use that to increase our scrutiny of recycled products.
Remanufactured Office Furniture
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Whenever we can reuse a product instead of producing a new one from raw materials--even if those raw materials are recycled--we save on resource use and energy. Many salvaged materials used in buildings (bricks, millwork, framing lumber, plumbing fixtures, and period hardware) are sold on a local or regional basis by salvage yards. It can be challenging to ensure that salvaged material can meet performance requirements, so it’s common to see this material used decoratively (when doing so, watch out for hazards like lead paint).
Also included in this category are products made from reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood is usually salvaged from buildings slated for demolition, abandoned railroad trestles, and “sinker logs” that sank decades ago during river-based log drives. It can also be obtained from trees that have been recently harvested from urban or suburban areas (such as disease-killed trees). Reclaimed wood is often available in species, coloration, and wood quality that is no longer available in newly harvested timber. In some cases, reclaimed wood suppliers have only limited quantities with matching coloration or weathering patterns; ample lead time and accurate materials estimates can help ensure the availability of the desired wood. Lowering the uniformity standards for finished wood can also increase the potential for use of reclaimed wood. As with other resources, the supply of reclaimed wood is limited. High demand for some kinds of reclaimed wood can lead to unique concerns, such as the premature demolition of historic barns and other buildings, or "sinker log" reclamation practices that are illegal or compromise river bottoms. The Rainforest Alliance's SmartWood program is available for reclaimed wood as well as for FSC wood, although few salvage operations are currently certified. In the absence of certification, take a close look at company protocols to ensure that reclaimed wood is appropriately sourced.
HMU is an independent remanufacturer of Herman Miller workstations. The structural components of workstations are repainted using low-VOC powder coating processes, and new finishes are applied. 100% recycled fabrics are offered as an option.
As with all furniture products, make sure that office furniture doesn’t introduce harmful emissions into the space. Also look for lower-impact materials and manufacturing processes.
Office Furniture must meet the same high bar that GreenSpec has established for all furniture products: products must be low-emitting and exhibit multiple other environmental features, such as being made primarily from greener materials.
The greenest product is often one that has already served one useful life. Where feasible, reusing or refurbishing existing furniture or selling it for reuse can save both financial and environmental resources. Sources for office furniture that is remanufactured or refurbished exist in most major cities. Salvaged products frequently don't have low-emitting certifications—check the certifications to be sure
You’ll probably be choosing furniture based on aesthetics, ergonomics, durability, and cost. In addition to that, make sure that furniture doesn’t introduce harmful emissions into the space. Also look for lower-impact materials and manufacturing processes.
Finding low-emitting furniture, along with other low-emitting building materials, is a must.
GreenSpec generally lists only furniture that meets California Section 01350 or more stringent emissions certifications such as Greenguard Children & Schools. In rare cases GreenSpec lists products that haven’t been tested to these standards, but that instead are made from inherently low-emitting materials with certified low-emitting adhesives, or are in subcategories where a less stringent certification (such as Greenguard Indoor Air Quality) is as good as it gets. Salvaged products also frequently don't have low-emitting certifications—check the certifications to be sure.
Furniture isn’t one-dimensional. It incorporates many different materials, and each material has its own environmental and health issues.
GreenSpec looks at furniture materials based on their key environmental attributes. For example, wood furniture must be FSC-certified, and upholstered products should reduce hazards from chemicals in fabrics and foams, such as halogenated flame retardants.
The attributes GreenSpec looks for in products listed here include salvaged material, pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled content, use of agricultural waste, certified wood, rapidly renewable material, material that is natural or minimally processed, or uses alternatives to hazardous components.
Comparing the many environmental claims for furniture products is challenging. Multi-attribute green product certifications like BIFMA’s “level” certification can provide an even playing field. However, you’ll have to dig deeper to get at a product’s tangible benefits. Ask the manufacturer for the certification scorecard or other comprehensive environmental disclosure.
GreenSpec lists BIFMA level 3 certified furniture because we think that level 3 sets a high, comprehensive bar. We list many BIFMA level 2 certified products, but we base those listings on additional disclosure of a product’s green features.
Although BIFMA’s level is a key industry standard, we sometimes find and list products with exceptional performance under other multi-attribute standards, or other clearly exceptional products that provide full disclosure of environmental and health characteristics, or products that stand out in a unique application for which there are few green alternatives.
In a residential setting, where there is likely to be lower air exchange and also children—a more vulnerable population—consider placing increased emphasis on occupant health over other environmental concerns.
For residential products in particular, GreenSpec seeks out products that, in addition to the emissions certifications described above, provide full disclosure of material composition demonstrating no content of high-hazard chemicals (according to the Pharos Chemical and Material Library).
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