When the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) began the redesign of its U.S. headquarters in 2000, it committed to using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified products. After finding floors, desks, and conference tables made from FSC lumber, WWF members searched for FSC-certified chairs for their reception area but discovered that no one in the market was making these products.
Instead of just buying chairs from non-certified wood, they created a market of their own by making a special request to furniture supplier David Edward . The WWF’s request sparked an interest at the manufacturer, and now all of David Edward’s furniture frames are constructed with sustainably harvested wood, in line with the principles and practices of FSC. Notably, the sustainable design features of the products are given equal weight on the website next to the new products and furniture designers.
Next time you make purchasing decisions on furniture and appliances, remember how substantial your buying power is. By seeking out and asking for green products, you are helping to shift green products from a market niche to the market standard.
Check out the following video to learn more about the WWF’s design aesthetic and other green practices. For even deeper info, check out this WWF!
This is the first in a series profiling green buildings that provide great examples of how these developments create spaces where people actually want to live, work, and play. Have suggestions for a green building you want profiled? Leave a comment on this page!
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