The Canadian Furniture Store Goes Organic
Go to: Previous Article Next Article
Only a few years ago late night television comedians made jokes about organic products, but this is no longer the case. Going organic and sharing in "green values" means much more than eschewing insect spray. We are all exposed on a daily basis to harmful environmental chemicals. Common manufacturing methods and processes guarantee that we will be exposed to toxins in everything from food preservatives to automobiles. Buying environmentally responsible products from a Canadian furniture store is one small way to combat these everyday hazards.
Many core values of those who choose to live in a chemical-free environment are not simply based on an updated hippie philosophy, but are actually a product of sustainable thinking and economics. Canada is often overshadowed politically by its neighbor to the south, but not in the area of environmental awareness and improvement.
What exactly is organic furniture? Organic furniture construction doesn't mean that a table or chair was necessarily made on a farm somewhere. The term organic in this instance refers to air quality. Most furnishings are made with a mixture of natural and chemical materials. When new, most goods are subject to a process called "off-gassing", which means they are emitting fumes instilled during construction, and such fumes may accumulate over time, and can reach measurably harmful levels.
Exposure is easy. All it requires is breathing the air in the same room. While adults may not pay attention to the danger, it is of special concern in homes with young children or infants, who may be much more susceptible to indoor air pollutants. The types of furniture made this way are usually of lower price and overall quality, and thus may wear out faster, often requiring replacement more often, with more pollutants being given off as a result.
Improving current outdoor environmental degradation is another good reason to buy organic Canadian furniture. Ready-made or self-assembled furniture is designed with a specific lifespan in mind, and usually can't be restored in the same fashion as traditional furnishings. In other words, it is made to wear out and be thrown away, and then replaced. This life-cycle process automatically uses more resources, and can add to the carbon footprint of those who make and buy such items.
Solid wood furniture that is produced regionally has none of the toxic formaldehyde common to composite furniture. Contained in the glue often used in such pieces, formaldehyde is an irritant that has been linked to many breathing problems, including asthma. Interestingly, some countries that manufacture this furniture, such as China, also ban it at home, because of the chemicals involved. Yet it continues to be exported to North America.
Other environmentally friendly furniture products include mattresses, which normally contain many chemicals used as fire retardants. The use of wool in mattress manufacture instead of polyurethane foam reduces the need for strong chemical fire retardants, and those labeled as organic often contain only wood, metal and natural latex components. Other materials used in cushions include soybean fibers, untreated cotton, and hemp fibers.
There are several reputable furniture stores Winnipeg that now feature organic products. Search the internet for organic furniture in Canada, and you will come up with a list of retailers from coast to coast. Remember that costs may be somewhat higher than prefabricated furniture because these products are not mass-produced. Most of these products are still hand-crafted and assembled, and chemical-free. Going green with furniture stores Halifax can provide your family with a unique piece that will last for years, and may be recycled and enjoyed by generations to come.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
- Credit Cards A big selection of Cards in all flavors: Bad Credit Cards, Secured Cards, Prepaid Cards, Credit Cards for Canada, Low Interest Cards, etc -
Word Count: 640
Reduce Your Debts Without Bankruptcy. See How Much You Can Save. Free Debt Analysis
