My search for safe, eco-friendly wood furniture
Posted
Friday, January 25, 2008 5:25 PM
I’ve been looking for a new coffee table lately and having sooo much trouble finding one I like that will work for us. Since we have a toddler and another baby on the way I really want something round (to avoid painful falls on sharp corners) but without a glass top, and I’m having lots of trouble finding one that fits the bill.
Making it harder is the fact that I’ve been reading up lately on the possible downsides of buying new wood furniture. I’m somewhat passionate about (my husband would say neurotically obsessed with) keeping chemicals out of our home, so I want to avoid furniture that’s made of particleboard or other types of engineered wood. These wood products are composed of lots of little wood scraps held together with glues and resins that can release chemical gasses, including formaldehyde (which a known human carcinogen), into your living space. Unfortunately, lots of the reasonably priced, mass market coffee tables I’ve looked at are made of it, which rules them out.
The simple answer would seem to be to buy a solid wood piece, but that can contribute to deforestation unless you buy from a company that’s been certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council. I’ve found a number of gorgeous tables made of FSC-certified hardwood, but so far none of them are quite right and many are out of my budget. So for now I’m looking for an option that’s both eco and affordable—an antique (or just previously owned) solid wood piece from a vintage furniture store or flea market. I’ll keep you posted on my progress, and would love to know if any Nesties are tackling this wood furniture dilemma!
Btw, you can find more detailed info on this issue in The Green Guide’s report on wood furniture problems and solutions.