Green News | Green Glossary | Trade Show Initiatives

Furniture Industry ‘Green’ Glossary

The effort to describe, measure and certify environmental practices is relatively new. This glossary of organizations and terms was compiled by the American Home Furnishings Alliance to highlight some of the more prominent initiatives.

EFEC – This is the acronym for the voluntary environmental management system developed for furniture manufacturers by the American Home Furnishings Alliance in 1999. EFEC stands for Enhancing Furniture’s Environmental Culture. EFEC was designed to help companies develop and maintain strong, proactive environmental programs. It provides a systematic approach for reviewing and improving a company’s operations for better environmental performance and improved profitability.

Forest Stewardship Council – The Forest Stewardship Council is an international, non-profit association that has established a rigorous set of standards for forest management and wood harvesting. FSC certification assures consumers that the wood products they purchase come from forests that are well-managed and support local communities. FSC members include environmental and social groups, as well as progressive forestry and wood retail companies working in partnership to improve forest management worldwide.

LEED – The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Visit the U.S. Green Building Council for more information at www.usgbc.org.

LEED for Homes – LEED for Homes is a voluntary rating system that promotes the design and construction of high performance “green” homes. A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources, creates less waste, and is healthier and more comfortable for occupants. The U.S. Green Building Council began a pilot test of LEED for Homes in August 2005. USGBC reports that more than 200 builders, representing 1,600 homes, across the United States are participating in the pilot program. As of December 2006, 26 homes had been LEED-certified. After a public comment period, the LEED for Homes rating system is to be officially launched later in 2007.

Polyols – Polyols are an essential ingredient in flexible foam cushioning for the upholstered furniture and bedding industries. Traditional polyols are derived from petroleum-based products. Recently, polyols were developed using soybean oil in place of petroleum. In 2006, Cargill Inc. trademarked its soybean oil-based polyol under the name BiOH, although commercial sales of the product had been underway since mid 2005. Cargill reports that the process to manufacture BiOH polyols results in less global warming emissions than traditional petrol-based polyols.

Rainforest Alliance – The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, the Rainforest Alliance involves businesses and consumers worldwide in efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. More information is available at www.rainforest-alliance.org.

SmartWood Forest Management – SmartWood Forest Management Certification was established in 1989 by the Rainforest Alliance. It was the world’s first global timber certification program. It is based on a pragmatic, scientific model that comprehensively evaluates forests on operational, environmental, social and economic levels. It was among the first certification programs to be accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Sustainability – Sustainability refers to the attempt to provide the best outcomes for the human and natural environments both now and into the indefinite future. It relates to the continuity of economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human society, as well as the non-human environment. Sustainable practices are intended to be a means of configuring civilization and human activity so that society, its members and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, and planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals long term.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative – On January 1, 2007, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) became a fully independent and accredited forest certification program. SFI certification audits are rigorous, on-the-ground assessments. The SFI program integrates the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the protection of wildlife, plants, soil, water and air quality.

Sustainable Furniture Council – The Sustainable Furniture Council is a non-profit, industry association committed to promoting sustainable practices within the home furnishings industry and raising awareness among consumers and buyers. Members are manufacturers, importers and retailers of residential furnishings.

U.S. Green Building Council – The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the nation’s foremost coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. More than 7,500 member organizations and a network of 75 regional chapters are united to advance USGBC’s mission of transforming the building industry to sustainability.