If you are just getting into the green design business, or want to incorporate green design elements in your decor, or even if you know a thing or two about sustainable design already, this list will assist you.
- Is the product still “green” if it is shipped from across the world?
Is it possible to purchase something similar locally? - Natural is not always renewable
How far does your definition of renewable reach? Is from-the-earth sufficient? For example, diamonds are from-the-earth but the mining process is labour intensive among other things (see Blood Diamond). - What about fair-trade, socially conscious companies/products?
It is not always easy or possible to fully check up on a company’s labour practices - even if a product or company is kind to the environment, it may not be so kind to it’s employees. How do you feel about this? Do you still consider the product to be “green”?
- Is a second-hand/vintage/antique product available and/or suitable?
Materials and labour have already gone into the product the first time, so this is a good “green” option. - Price considerations
Unfortunately, there are a lot of products out there that may be beyond your budget. If you are purchasing furniture for the first time, for instance, will you only be able to afford one piece of “green” furniture because of the high price tag and have to settle for other sweatshop produced items for the rest of your purchases?
- Is there lasting value?
Are you on the lookout for a ‘token’ “green” piece? Are you just buying what is popular at the moment? What about the materials - there is a trend these days where many items are made of recycled cardboard, which is definitely “green” in nature - but how long will it last? If you are spending all of your “green” budget on such things will you need to replace them later when they deteriorate? As with anything you purchase: how much do you like the piece? How well does it serve a purpose? - Upcycling/Recycling
Will it be possible to upcycle or recycle the product when you no longer have use for it? This is where that cardboard chair comes in! - Shades of green
Just because a product comes from somewhere other than a “green” superstore does not make it any less sustainably designed. Check the labels at local stores near you! There are so many shades of green - discreet to loud, what kind of “green” statement do you want to make?
- Where can you make the most difference?
The best bang for your buck - but also, what about something that helps in more than one way? For instance, something that is locally made with local materials?
- Do you really need this new product?
It is not very “green” to replace all your furniture for the latest sustainably designed stuff!
