Phil Pendleton is a furniture professional with over 15 years experience in the industry. He continues to work with other furniture professionals promoting new trends in bamboo beds, platform beds and other modern furniture. He invites you to visit http://www.platformbeds.com for more information.
Posts Tagged ‘Ecofriendly’
Eco-friendly Furniture – Recycling the Old and in With the Bamboo
We’re currently living in a day and age where the ecology of our planet is becoming a very important issue in everyday life. The way we use and re-use our resources as well as how we manage our homes and lives in green culture provides us an opportunity to make choices in helping to promote a cleaner healthier planet. Part of those choices stem from using more energy efficient light bulbs. Recycling our plastics and paper. Even making choices about the furniture we purchase. In this article we’ll take a look at some things we can do to recycle and re-use our older furniture as well as some tips on eco-friendly furniture products.
When purchasing new furniture or beds we often need to think about the furniture being replaced as part of the circle in promoting good ecological habits. There are several options that we can use to recycle or re-use your old furniture.
1.) Consider donating your furniture. Businesses like the Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries puts your older furniture back into circulation for others to use. The proceeds they generate from your furniture in turn helps to provide jobs and allows your furniture to find new life with a new family.
2.) Recycle your furniture. Wood furniture “can” be recycled at your local recycling center. There are also many local authorities who can assist in helping you to safely dispose of your furniture for recycling.
3.) Offer it to your family or friends. Your older furniture may be in tip top shape and if that’s the case you may still have sentimental feelings towards it and want to keep it in the family. If that is the case you can offer it to those you know who may have a need for the furniture.
4.) Try selling it. Many times your furniture may hold good resale value if it is a name brand or high-end piece of furniture. If that is the case why not sell it in a local newspaper ad or try selling it through online auctions like ebay or other online marketplaces.
Many of the options above give the added benefit of the furniture being safely and responsibly recycled or re-used which is an important step before shopping for new furniture and creating good eco-friendly habits. We need to avoid having older furniture added to landfills and we should make every effort to find a safe means of recycling our older furniture. After you’ve made arrangements to have your older furniture recycled or re-used you’ll want to start looking at some alternatives available in eco-friendly materials for furniture. There are many options available in furniture but one such material is becoming quite popular in green furniture. It’s called bamboo.
Bamboo is an interesting ecological friendly choice for a wide variety of products. What makes this product considered a green choice in furniture though is the process through which it is harvested and replanted. Many believe bamboo is a type of wood but it actually is classified as a grass. From the time it is seeded to the time it reaches maturity for harvesting is approximately 5-7 years. The stalk of the bamboo hardens and becomes tighter (harder than maple wood) which is then harvested and processed into a variety of products including boards which can be used for building and construction. It can be reseeded once harvested in as little as three months and because bamboo grows so quickly often reaching heights of 70 feet tall, this replenishment is quick with little to no impact on the environment.
Many domestic hardwoods like oak or ash do make great choices for furniture. In this modern age of resource conscious ecological living though many of us recognize that once an oak or ash tree is harvested it takes almost 40-45 years for a new one to be planted and grown to maturity. Many lumber companies do act responsibly with their cutting and harvesting of those trees but the maturity. However, if alternatives exist (like bamboo) and can be used in certain types of furniture in place of other woods then we should consider those resources ahead of others. Bamboo beds, nightstands, dressers and bookcases are just some of the many pieces of furniture made from this plant. The bamboo plant is even used in making fabric which is used in many types of mattress coverings.
In this article we looked at the two aspects of purchasing new furniture. We examined the responsibilities of what we should do with the older furniture. In the way of donating it, recycling it, giving it away or selling it. Doing these things allows our older furniture to be recycled and re-used creating a positive environmental impact. When getting ready to find new furniture we explored alternatives to domestic woods in the way of bamboo. Bamboo is fast growing, can be reseeded in less than three months after harvesting and provides material even harder than maple. Bamboo is a positive resource for eco-friendly furniture and if it is an available option should be considered ahead of other products. These suggested practices are not only good for you and others but for our environment as well.
Bamboo Beds – Green & Eco-friendly
Bamboo is an interesting plant that is grown predominately throughout Asia. This plant has a wide variety of uses and has characteristics that help promote it as a green or eco-friendly material. In this article we’ll examine bamboo and how it is used in a variety of products from bamboo flooring, bamboo beds and furniture and even bamboo kitchen items.
Bamboo describes a wide variety of species that are found throughout Asia. Bamboo often called a tree is actually considered a plant. It grows rapidly and produces shoots or food at the base of the plant that can carefully be harvested and once properly opened can be consumed. These shoots reveal themselves seasonally and are offered in local markets for sale just like fruits and vegetables are offered in farmers markets that we have here in North America.
Besides being harvested for food, bamboo is also harvested for its culms or the longest and tallest growing part of the plant. These culms can them be processed and made into boards due to their strong tensile strength. Mature bamboo is just as strong or stronger than hard rock maple and provides an excellent material for building bamboo floors, bamboo beds and furniture as well as bamboo kitchen items. Being so strong it holds up well to day to day use and exhibits many of the characteristics of wood but with an exotic appearance.
Bamboo grows very quickly. In 5-7 years a bamboo plant can be harvested to be made into boards. It will grow back or may also be seeded to grow back. Considering many species of oak and maple take up to 50 years to grow before they can be harvested makes bamboo a very green or eco-friendly choice for building such things as bamboo flooring, bamboo beds, furniture and bamboo kitchen items.
Because bamboo is found predominately in Asia it is used as a viable building material there for homes and industry. Many American manufacturers though who either practice using green alternatives or have found the exotic nature of bamboo appealing have committed to bringing in bamboo boards into North America for manufacturing products here. This practice is still relatively new but is growing in popularity.
When we consider the need for alternatives and better choices for building materials, bamboo can immediately be seen as a viable solution. The fact that it grows quickly, can be harvested and grow back make it a strong choice as a green alternative to domestic hardwoods. Bamboo also provides a source of food which further demonstrates its usefulness. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative, consider bamboo next time you’re out and about and shopping for new products.
Phil Pendleton is a furniture professional with over 15 years experience. He has worked in furniture sales, distribution and production. Phil continues to work with other furniture professionals to help promote new trends in furniture and uses for bamboo as a green alternative to domestic hardwoods.
Bamboo Beds – Green & Eco-friendly
Bamboo is an interesting plant that is grown predominately throughout Asia. This plant has a wide variety of uses and has characteristics that help promote it as a green or eco-friendly material. In this article we’ll examine bamboo and how it is used in a variety of products from bamboo flooring, bamboo beds and furniture and even bamboo kitchen items.
Bamboo describes a wide variety of species that are found throughout Asia. Bamboo often called a tree is actually considered a plant. It grows rapidly and produces shoots or food at the base of the plant that can carefully be harvested and once properly opened can be consumed. These shoots reveal themselves seasonally and are offered in local markets for sale just like fruits and vegetables are offered in farmers markets that we have here in North America.
Besides being harvested for food, bamboo is also harvested for its culms or the longest and tallest growing part of the plant. These culms can them be processed and made into boards due to their strong tensile strength. Mature bamboo is just as strong or stronger than hard rock maple and provides an excellent material for building bamboo floors, bamboo beds and furniture as well as bamboo kitchen items. Being so strong it holds up well to day to day use and exhibits many of the characteristics of wood but with an exotic appearance.
Bamboo grows very quickly. In 5-7 years a bamboo plant can be harvested to be made into boards. It will grow back or may also be seeded to grow back. Considering many species of oak and maple take up to 50 years to grow before they can be harvested makes bamboo a very green or eco-friendly choice for building such things as bamboo flooring, bamboo beds, furniture and bamboo kitchen items.
Because bamboo is found predominately in Asia it is used as a viable building material there for homes and industry. Many American manufacturers though who either practice using green alternatives or have found the exotic nature of bamboo appealing have committed to bringing in bamboo boards into North America for manufacturing products here. This practice is still relatively new but is growing in popularity.
When we consider the need for alternatives and better choices for building materials, bamboo can immediately be seen as a viable solution. The fact that it grows quickly, can be harvested and grow back make it a strong choice as a green alternative to domestic hardwoods. Bamboo also provides a source of food which further demonstrates its usefulness. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative, consider bamboo next time you’re out and about and shopping for new products.
Phil Pendleton is a furniture professional with over 15 years experience. He has worked in furniture sales, distribution and production. Phil continues to work with other furniture professionals to help promote new trends in furniture and uses for bamboo as a green alternative to domestic hardwoods.
Bamboo Beds – Green & Eco-friendly
Bamboo is an interesting plant that is grown predominately throughout Asia. This plant has a wide variety of uses and has characteristics that help promote it as a green or eco-friendly material. In this article we’ll examine bamboo and how it is used in a variety of products from bamboo flooring, bamboo beds and furniture and even bamboo kitchen items.
Bamboo describes a wide variety of species that are found throughout Asia. Bamboo often called a tree is actually considered a plant. It grows rapidly and produces shoots or food at the base of the plant that can carefully be harvested and once properly opened can be consumed. These shoots reveal themselves seasonally and are offered in local markets for sale just like fruits and vegetables are offered in farmers markets that we have here in North America.
Besides being harvested for food, bamboo is also harvested for its culms or the longest and tallest growing part of the plant. These culms can them be processed and made into boards due to their strong tensile strength. Mature bamboo is just as strong or stronger than hard rock maple and provides an excellent material for building bamboo floors, bamboo beds and furniture as well as bamboo kitchen items. Being so strong it holds up well to day to day use and exhibits many of the characteristics of wood but with an exotic appearance.
Bamboo grows very quickly. In 5-7 years a bamboo plant can be harvested to be made into boards. It will grow back or may also be seeded to grow back. Considering many species of oak and maple take up to 50 years to grow before they can be harvested makes bamboo a very green or eco-friendly choice for building such things as bamboo flooring, bamboo beds, furniture and bamboo kitchen items.
Because bamboo is found predominately in Asia it is used as a viable building material there for homes and industry. Many American manufacturers though who either practice using green alternatives or have found the exotic nature of bamboo appealing have committed to bringing in bamboo boards into North America for manufacturing products here. This practice is still relatively new but is growing in popularity.
When we consider the need for alternatives and better choices for building materials, bamboo can immediately be seen as a viable solution. The fact that it grows quickly, can be harvested and grow back make it a strong choice as a green alternative to domestic hardwoods. Bamboo also provides a source of food which further demonstrates its usefulness. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative, consider bamboo next time you’re out and about and shopping for new products.
Phil Pendleton is a furniture professional with over 15 years experience. He has worked in furniture sales, distribution and production. Phil continues to work with other furniture professionals to help promote new trends in furniture and uses for bamboo as a green alternative to domestic hardwoods.