It’s Time to Consider Operating a ‘Green’ Shop

There’s a lot of talk across the country, and indeed the world, about building greener.

However, as the old Yorkshire saying goes, “When all is said and done, there’s a lot more said than done.”

The time for going green is here, now, and your shop can do its part. You don’t have to talk about it too much, you just have to do it.

There are three main areas you could focus on:

1. Being aware of the materials you use.
   
2. Generating less waste.
   
3. Building work that lasts.

Treading lighter on the planet starts with you and your employees – it’ll be a new commitment to do things differently. It was only a few years ago that we didn’t recycle newspapers; now most communities have that set up. Look at how much paper product is made from re-used materials these days. There’s no reason we can’t bring some fresh thinking into how we build and fabricate things.

Are you willing to make some changes? Think about your grandkids, and how they’ll feel about you and your work – they may see some of the things you’ve built after you’re long gone. It would be nice if the things you build outlast you. It would be nice if a future generation could look at your projects and see how well you saved resources, used better materials and built things to last.

And how about your customers? Are the times really right to be offering products that are environmentally better? I can tell you this: For many people, especially the more affluent and educated crowd (the ones often buying our products), if they can buy something that’s greener, it’s way more attractive to them – especially if the cost is the same or only slightly higher. Look at the huge growth of organic foods. They’re usually better, and often cost more than the regular stuff.

How can anyone with an ounce of intelligence not believe that greener is usually better for the planet? And why are the big box stores embracing greener products? It’s not just because it’s the right thing to do. It’s because green sells.

Green Material

Start with the solid wood you use. More and more lumber suppliers are getting their materials from well-managed sources. This may mean you can buy wood from your supplier that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC – www.fsc.org), and the cost of this material is finally coming down. You may pay a slight premium, but you may be able to pass that along to your clients – especially if you present it as an upgrade.

Most customers will know in their heart that buying green is a good thing. They can tell their friends that the mahogany used to make their new kitchen did not come down from a clear-cut Amazonian tract of land, but from a carefully managed forest program in Guatemala. And your customers’ kids will approve heartily.

You may want to consider getting your operation to be certified as a green shop. This involves a certain degree of paperwork, procedures and systems, but it may be worthwhile if you think it’s a good thing – and if your employees will buy into it. Someone will have to pay for it – that will be your customers eventually – so think hard before you go down the certified road.

The plywoods and particleboards we all use are gradually getting better, too. At our own shop, we’ve changed over to formaldehyde-free cores, at virtually the same price point as the regular materials. They’re better for the air our employees breathe, and our customers recognize that we’re doing our part.

Unfortunately, environmentally questionable materials such as PVC are used extensively in our industry. With a lack of proven alternatives, it’s tough to make major changes yet. New and better materials for edgebanding are around the corner, though. Watch for their arrival.

Use veneer when you can – it’s a more economical use of wood, and looks great. After all, Chippendale furniture contains lots of veneer. These days we’re finding that, in many cases, the higher quality and rarer woods are only available as veneers.
Consider your finishing department from an environmental viewpoint. Use an approved booth and make sure you minimize any release into the outside air.