Approved by Subject Editors on July 08, 2005

The Subject Editor review of this product is in process. Please check back.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 12, 2004

Reviewed by Lydia Corser

Vintage Material Supply attempts to use 100% reclaimed wood for their products, which makes great use of existing resources, but does require energy to relocate, remill and rework into new products. Environmentally, it seems a perfect use, as no new resources are being depleted. The greatest cost is in fossil fuels. These products have a unique history and are made to last, which make them as good or better than similar products in this price point. There is more embodied energy, due to the effort to reclaim, and make ready the wood to be reused, but it's well worth the input.

Approved by Subject Editors on July 08, 2005

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

This manufacturer's products are fabricated from reclaimed wood taken primarily from old buildings before they are torn down. This keeps the wood out of a landfill and lessens the need to harvest more trees. The finishes, however, aren't low VOC (they use boiled linseed oil, marine spar varnish, etc.), so people who are especially sensitive to indoor air quality issues should consult with the manufacturer on what is being used.

Approved by Subject Editors on July 22, 2005

Reviewed by Debra Lynn Dadd

Timeless Timber makes end-grain flooring blocks from 100% underwater salvaged timber, recovered from the depths of the Great Lakes and other US and Canadian waterways. In the 1800's, millions of virgin trees were felled from great forests. These logs were tied into rafts and floated to lumber mills along rivers and though lakes. In transit, some logs became waterlogged and settled to the bottom of these waterways, where they have remained for over a century--perfectly preserved in the icy waters. Timeless Timber salvages these logs, dries the wood, and mills them into lumber and flooring. This flooring benefits the environment because it provides the beauty and function of wood while still leaving forests intact--as well as the soil protection, oxygen and habitat they provide.

This virgin old-growth timber is 300 to 1200 years old. With 40 to 50 rings per inch instead of the five to ten rings per inch of today's second-growth wood, this salvaged wood and has abundant figuring, tight grain, and unique colors created by the leaching of minerals from the water. It is more durable than second-growth wood, which gives it a longer life before it will need to be replaced.

This wood is safer than other recovered woods for interior installations as it has not been previously painted or otherwise finished. It would have no negative effects on indoor air quality.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 12, 2004

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

These glass tiles are manufactured in a similar manner to conventional products except that energy consumption for the processing of raw materials has been eliminated because they contain 100% recycled glass. However, energy consumption is still greater than some other products. Extraction impacts are also reduced greatly.

Glass tiles, whether conventional or green, release no emissions into the indoor environment, and their hard surfaces allow them to be thoroughly cleaned with ease. Glass tiles are durable, exceeded only by concrete, ceramic tile, stone, and terrazzo. However, abrasions and wear are more apparent on shiny surfaces.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 04, 2004

Reviewed by Marian Keeler

Reclaimed wood can be said to use less energy to produce because its energy loads have already been 'discounted" or applied to its first use. Some energy needed to remill, or otherwise re-engineer the material. Reclaimed wood is essentially post-consumer recycling or reuse in its optimal form.

Stock should be factory sealed. Site (field) applied sealer is an indoor air quality (IAQ) hazard. Adhesives should be low/no-VOC water based products.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 13, 2004

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

These products are fabricated from a flake board that is manufactured from Aspen trees and using formaldehyde-free adhesives. Although the aspen is not FSC-certified, it is a fast-growing tree.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 12, 2004

Reviewed by Eric Freed

Richlite is made from wood pulp derived from certified managed forests and thousands of pounds of paper left over from the Tacoma school district. The recycled content varies depending on supply, but the virgin pulp is an industrial by product and comes from a sustainably managed forest. Regardless of recycled content, the materials used are sustainable. It is made in Tacoma.

Richlite does not off-gas any harmful VOC's. Richlite is highly stain resistant, but prone to cutting. Since it is a solid material, these cuts can be sanded out to reveal the same color.

Approved by Subject Editors on March 28, 2005

Reviewed by Marian Keeler

Chicago Adhesive Products, or CHAPCO, is another company with name-recognition in the environmental community. Their "environmental" adhesive line is called Safe-Set. All products within that line have CRI Green Label approval and meet or exceed California's SCAQMD Rule 1168 standards. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) which will list potential VOC content are available on-line at www.chapco-adhesive.com . Information was unavailable as to whether Safe-Set has undergone emissions testing through GreenGuard or California 01350 protocol.

As with all adhesives and sealers, ensure adequate ventilation during installation and follow manufacturer recommended installation and safety procedures. Technical representatives are available to answer questions and hold training seminars at 1-800-621-0220 and enter extension 2524 or 2001.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 10, 2005

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

This company's furniture is manufactured of wood that would normally not be utilized, thereby reducing the demand for primary forest timbers. This wood comes from demolition sites, from dead trees left standing after forest fires, and from wood buried by volcanic ash. The oils that naturally occur in some tropical species may not be tolerated by people with chemical sensitivities.