Surface: There is no surface more important then the one we live on

Considering Green Flooring Options: Do your research.

Being that we are members of the National Wood Flooring Association (or NWFA as the industry folk call it) we are privy to many intriguing conversations and debates pertaining to wood flooring products. Most recently bamboo flooring has been a hot topic for discussion among those in our industry and among consumers. More and more we're hearing about this rapidly growing grass that because it's renewable is therefore being considered a great green flooring option.

If it's a green floor you're looking for, you may think bamboo or recycled glass or one of the other quickly renewable or recycled options is the best choice. However, there are many things you need to consider before you know which choice is best in terms of "greenness."

First, just because they say it's green doesn't mean it is. Buyer beware. There are hundreds if not thousands of organizations that offer certifications for every consumer product imaginable, from paper products to granola bars, that certify them as all natural/organic/green/recycled etc. You need to know that not all of these so called certifications are legitimate and even more of them are not so strict in their certification requirements. In short, it doesn't take much effort to acquire many of these seals of approval. When you're considering a green product, whether it's a recycled building product for your new home, the hybrid car you're going to drive everyday, or the organic snack you're going to feed your children, make it your job to understand exactly what makes that product green and how it got it's green certification. Do your research.

Second, know where the product comes from. Yes, this means geographically. Is the product being harvested on the other side of the world and then transported hundreds of thousands of miles before it makes it to the shelf of your big box store? Does this matter to you? It definitely can make product less green than one harvested domestically. Yes, this means know the supplier. Understand who is making the product and what sort of environmentally responsible (or irresponsible) practices they employ in acquiring, producing, and even marketing the product. I'm not saying you need to buy all of your consumer products from your next door neighbor who grows them in his backyard and sells them in his roadside stand (although this is a great option for your vegetables). I'm saying that as consumers we must keep in mind that it's not just our job to consume. We need to know what we're consuming and we need to know where it comes from. Again, do your research.

Third, know what the product is made of. Yes, this means the ingredients. Read your labels. Know what your options are and understand what each option is made of. This is key for all consumer products. If you wouldn't eat something because you don't know what it is then you probably wouldn't want to walk, crawl, or sit on something if you don't know what it is either.

Finally, more and more these days I find myself using this little tool when I'm making a purchase and trying to decide between two similar products. Say for example you're buying trail mix. At your grocery store there are a couple of options, but one is available in a plastic container the other is available in the bulk food section. I ask myself, "What could potentially go to waste if I buy that?" In this case I'd buy the bulk trail mix. The plastic bag it comes in is less waste (and will probably get reused at my house) than the non-recyclable plastic container. Not to mention bulk means I can determine how much I want to buy. You can ask yourself the same thing when you're purchasing a floor. If you buy the bamboo floor you'll probably be replacing it in your lifetime, as most can't be refinished. This means that floor will end up in a landfill somewhere. And since many bamboo floors are 90% glue and 10% bamboo, I'd say it'll be sitting in that landfill for a long long long time. If you buy a wood floor, you, your kids, your grand kids, heck probably even your great grand kids won't be replacing it in their lifetimes. And, if you don't need to replace it then there is nothing to throw away. Someday it might even get reclaimed and live a second life. Either way, no waste.

The choices are yours. All I ask is that you do your research before you choose. After all, if worse comes to worse, a devil you know is better than a devil you don't.

Author's Name: Kim Cassin
Posted Date: May 27, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Filed under: Green Building and Eco Friendly Products

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