Approved by Subject Editors on July 08, 2005

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

This company's custom cabinetry, millwork, doors, and flooring are manufactured from a variety of sustainably produced woods and fibers. These include FSC-certified lumber; lumber milled from dead, diseased, and nuisance urban trees; and wheat-board (a particle-board manufactured from waste wheat straw). Request that the manufacturer use low-VOC finishes.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 12, 2004

Reviewed by Eric Freed

shetkaSTONE is manufactured from 100% recycled pre and post consumer waste paper. All by-products (waste created in the manufacturing) can be recycled back into the manufacturing process. All products that are damaged or are at the end of their life cycle do not have to be put in any landfill, they can be recycled back into the manufacturing process.

In the case of shetkaSTONE, there is no harmful offgassing. It resists mold and bacteria growth.

Approved by Subject Editors on May 31, 2005

Reviewed by Marian Keeler

Teragren Signature is a solid plank flooring product that comes in 3-5/8 inch widths, either prefinished or unfinished, in vertical grain, flat grain, and natural or caramelized colors.

Bamboo is not considered a wood, rather, it is a fast growing grass and is thus rapidly renewable. Presenting a viable wood alternative, bamboo is an increasingly popular choice when it comes to issues of protecting old-growth forests. Because of increased harvesting in areas like China and Vietnam, it is important to keep an eye on local sustainability questions such as social equity for workers and local environmental impact. Because the source material is harvested overseas, the embodied energy of this product is slightly higher than a locally grown FSC certified wood product.

Teragren uses Moso bamboo, a species noted for its hardness. On the Janka Ball testing method, most bamboo in the Signature series tested harder than white Oak or Rock Maple. Since durability is a factor in considering sustainability of a product, bamboo should be an excellent choice. Signature comes with a 25 year warranty.

Teragren should be commended as one of the few companies around who voluntarily does emissions testing on their products and associated adhesives. They have selected low VOC, water-based laminating adhesives, sealers and colors from the German manufacturer Klumpp. Their formaldehyde levels, a compound commonly found in bamboo because of the laminating process, are quite low comparatively, and adhere to stricter European standards.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 12, 2004

Reviewed by Lydia Corser

The wood for this line of outdoor furniture is harvested in Asia and shipped to Denmark for manufacture. The company offers both FSC and non-FSC wood in their products, due to the rarity and expense of FSC teak. They have come up with a heirarchical list of procedures and considerations for the use of wood. Trip Trap is an active member of the WWF Forest 2000 Network ' the Danish forestry and trading network for sustainably produced wood products, which is working to increase the choice of and demand for certified wood products. The fact that these woods are harvested in one part of the world, then manufactured in and shipped to other parts of the world, is the biggest strike against them.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 16, 2006

Reviewed by Lydia Corser

A lot about this product is green: IF Green makes it with differnt woods, but all are FSC certified sustainably harvested. Though it may be off-putting to some, the seat is made with leather scraps, which utilizes what would have otherwise been waste, and I'm sure fabrics are available. IF Green uses non-formaldehyde glues and low or no VOC finishes on all of their products. This company is thinking green, evaluating the entire life cycle of materials, worried about the health of their furniture makers as well as the end user, and the planet. The products are well-designed and constructed, as well as beautiful, all of which give them longevity.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 10, 2005

Reviewed by Lily Livingston

Tile setting materials can have high Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) levels which contribute to poor indoor air quality. SpectraLOCK pro is a tile grout that contains low amounts of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's); even though this is an epoxy based grout, it has a negligible VOC content of 0.44 g/L.

SpectraLOCK pro grout also contains Microban which is reported to inhibit the growth of stain causing bacteria like mold in grout joints. Microban does not eliminate the need for normal cleaning, but it does provide a continuous anti-microbial protection which creates a more durable low maintenance material. Low maintenance materials are more environmentally attractive because they need to be replaced less frequently or their maintenance has a very low impact on the environment. This Microban low-maintenance feature allows for cleaning with natural products and can eliminate the need for a higher VOC sealer, which further contributes to better indoor air qualilty.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 03, 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

This line of light fixtures reuses glass lenses from aging traffic lights and gives them new life, and consumers new light. It's a brilliant use of these materials that otherwise end up in the landfill.

There may be some heavy metals used in the manufacture of any light fixture and these are no exception. However, offgassing is unlikely to be an issue.

Approved by Subject Editors on May 31, 2005

Reviewed by Marian Keeler

Teragren Studio is a wide plank floating floor with a patented self locking installation system called TeraLoc (TM). Its planks are 7-11/16" inch wide, available in only prefinished applications, in vertical grain, flat grain, and natural or caramelized colors. The beauty of a floating floor is that no glue is required for installation.

Bamboo is not considered a wood, rather, it is a fast growing grass and is thus rapidly renewable. Presenting a viable wood alternative, bamboo is an increasingly popular choice when it comes to issues of protecting old-growth forests. Because of increased harvesting in areas like China and Vietnam, it is important to keep an eye on local sustainability questions such as social equity for workers and local environmental impact. Because the source material is harvested overseas, the embodied energy of this product is slightly higher than a locally grown FSC certified wood product.

Teragren uses Moso bamboo, a species noted for its hardness. On the Janka Ball testing method, most bamboo in the Studio series tested harder than white Oak or Rock Maple. Since durability is a factor in considering sustainability of a product, bamboo should be an excellent choice. Studio comes with a 25 year warranty.

Teragren should be commended as one of the few companies around who voluntarily does emissions testing on their products and associated adhesives. They have selected low VOC, water-based laminating adhesives, sealers and colors from the German manufacturer Klumpp. Their formaldehyde levels, a compound commonly found in bamboo because of the laminating process, are quite low comparatively, and adhere to stricter European standards.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 12, 2004

Reviewed by Eric Freed

Made from all natural materials, concrete should be highly green, except for the fact that it's primary ingredient, Portland Cement, has a high embodied energy. This means that the production of Portland Cement is resource-intensive and it's manufacture produces a large amount of greenhouse gas. You can, however, negate the effects of Portland Cement by replacing up to 50% of it with Fly Ash, a harmless by-product of coal mining. Concrete resists staining, denting, scratching and cutting. A lemon left on the surface may etch acid into the top, but this is true for any countertop except metal. Cracking is common, but part of the look of the material.