The term “environmentalism” emerged in the 70s when the need to face environmental problems has become a major concern to many people. It became more significant when U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson proclaimed the first ever Earth Day in the 22nd of April, 1970. Earth Day, according to Nelson, is all about spreading awareness on the importance of protecting our beloved Earth.
Today, going green is no longer a simple fad. It has become part of everyone’s agenda to simply make some lifestyle changes to help the environment. Small changes can do the Earth a huge favor. People’s form of help can be joining different organizations about the environment or to simple tasks like using less electricity, saving water, or carpooling to stop excessive gas consumption.
Helping the environment can start in your own home. Help the environment through choosing eco options in your new apartment or home. You can do so by replacing your old furniture to more sustainable materials. Yes, it’s true, there’s an abundance of green options in the market today. Here are the reasons why you should make the change:
1. It’s better for your health: You’ll be surprised on how many harmful chemicalsare in your furniture. The most common of these is formaldehyde, a carcinogen that has been scientifically linked to cancer. Some furniture also contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) that can cause headache and irritation, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) that can be harmful to newborn babies, and triclosan a chemical that can alter hormones. Eco-friendly furniture lessen these harmful chemicals because they undergo less processing and requires minimal amount of chemicals.
2. It’s more affordable: You heard that right. Environmental-friendly furniture are cheaper than ordinary ones. It’s because sustainable furniture are often made of recycled materials like plastic and old wood – materials that are cheaper compared to processed ones.
3. It prevents deforestation: According to research, Philippines’ forest cover dropped from 70% to mere 20%. Nine point eight million hectares of forests are lost due to deforestation. For those who do not know, deforestation is the process of transforming the forest to clear land to make way for industrial properties like shopping malls and mining sites. But there is still hope. There are organizations all over the world that promote responsible use of wood for furniture. One of which is the non-profit Sustainable Furniture Council (SFC), an organization founded in 2006 that aims to develop certification process to furniture manufacturers. You can go to their website to see the list of manufacturers that belong to their membership.
4. It saves energy: Don’t you just hate it when the electric bill is higher than your house’s ceiling? Fortunately, some eco-friendly furniture depend on solar power instead of electricity giving your bills a huge favor.
But where do you start? Don’t worry, having a small budget cannot be a hinder to your furniture’s complete transformation. Take note of the following steps to begin your green journey:
- Use old wood: Chopping a tree will no longer be necessary if you use old wood in your vicinity in building your own furniture.
- Choose bamboo: Bamboo is a special type of grass known for its durability and versatility. Bamboo also grows fast and easier to maintain and very abundant in various provinces in the Philippines
- Recycle: Plastic and other non-biodegradable materials can be used for home furniture. Recycled materials require less processing and resources.
- Go local: Buying your eco-friendly furniture from a manufacturer across the country is the opposite of going green. If you choose to buy materials and made furniture locally, you can avoid expensive cost and of course, excessive gas that came from shipping from other countries. Cebu, the furniture capital of the Philippines, offers stylishly designed eco-furniture pieces that can definitely suit your taste!
5. It’s stylish and accessible: Who says that going green compromises the style of your furniture? Cechk out Obra Cebuana‘s modern and chic chair and tables made completely in rattan. These stylish pieces are also handwoven, making it truly one of a kind. Meanwhile, local home shops are now featuring more and more furniture made from our local materials that are simply divine to look at. Eco-friendly furniture will simply add sophistication and erase the drab to your home.
There’s no denying that sustainable furniture is the future of the furniture industry. Take part of this revolution in your own simple way. Revamp your home to an eco-friendly sanctuary that you can be proud of! Follow the Persquare blog for more tips and tricks on helping your home turn green!
