Urban Woods is an eco-friendly reclaimed furniture maker. We use 100% reclaimed wood to make our natural wood furniture line because it is better for the environment. Many factors are considered in our sustainable furniture manufacturing process. Reclaimed wood furniture does not require new wood to be harvested from living forests. In addition, the elimination of milling and transporting the wood saves fossil fuel and therefore reduces carbon emissions.
Consider these facts: | Consider Urban Woods: | |
| Wood Waste: The California Integrated Waste Management Board estimates that wood waste from construction and demolition represent 28% of the municipal waste stream every year. | » | Reclaimed Wood: Made from reclaimed wood from local, vintage buildings that have been slated for tear down.The old growth timber is rescued from the waste stream and used for a new purpose. |
| Deforestation: Scientists estimate that we are losing more than 137 species of plants and animals every single day because of rainforest deforestation.Logging tropical hardwoods like teak, mahogany, rosewood, and other timber for furniture and other wood products is clearly unsustainable for any length of time. | » | Sustainability: Urban Woods is committed to the protection of the environment and sustainability of the earth’s natural resources. Using reclaimed wood saves trees and allows more living forests to remain intact. |
| Pollution and Economy: According to the New York Times, a single cargo ship coming into a harbor can expel as much toxic emissions as 350,000 current-model automobiles in one hour.Over the past 15 years, as international trade has exploded and shipping capacity has grown by 50 percent, cargo ships have become one of the nation’s leading sources of air pollution, threatening the health of millions of people living in port cities.The U.S. Commerce Department found that 73,000 American furniture jobs were eliminated since 2000. In the same period, U.S. sales of Chinese-made furniture exploded from $405-million to $5.82-billion. | » | Made in the U.S.A.: Made by hand in Los Angeles. Local, domestic manufacturing has a far lighter impact on the environment than foreign imports.Many foreign factories have little or no environmental regulations. |
| Indoor Air Pollution: Indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air, and according to the EPA, is considered to be one of the top 5 hazards to human health. Paints and finishes are among the leading causes.Conventional lacquer is one of the worst clear finishes in terms of emitting of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) into your home. MDF (Medium density fiberboard) and particle board are often used in furniture construction and commonly contain known carcinogens urea-formaldehyde or phenol-formaldehyde, which off-gasses into interior air and can cause asthma and skin irritation. | » | Low Impact: Finished with zero VOC, water based materials and water based, non-toxic stains. As a reclaimed furniture maker we only use solid wood construction.No use of MDF or particle board. Only water soluble, formaldehyde free glues are used. We make zero VOC furniture which is non-toxic furniture. |
