Global warming is a proven fact, and to help in reducing it, everyday more companies and their eco-friendly employees and principals are switching over to energy-efficient appliances and environmentally-friendly products. Offices are one of the main consumers of furniture and they can be an integral part of the green revolution by carefully selecting eco-friendly office furniture and energy saving devices. The primary concerns to be considered when choosing eco-friendly office furniture are the choice of wood, the fabric materials, and the chemicals involved in the manufacture of the furniture.

Traditionally, hardwood has been the material of choice for most office furniture. However, with increasing pressure to save precious natural rainforest resources, the new earth-friendly trend is to manufacture furniture only from recycled woods or obtained in an environmentally friendly manner. Many furniture makers are now committed to sourcing their wood only from lumber companies that are known to indulge in reforestation and sustainable forestry practices.

Many companies like thegreenoffice.com and overstock.com offer eco-friendly furniture and supplies, but when buying office furniture, look for those that have been certified by recognized authorities such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). These certifications guarantee that the wood has been sourced from well-managed forests that meet the principles of environmental conservation including maintenance of ecosystems, conservation of biological diversity and establishment of long-term management practices.

Recycled materials are also gaining track and beginning to find favor in the offices across the country. Office chairs are now available that are being constructed of material that is made from recycled soda bottles and recycled fabrics. The Velica Series High-Back Swivel/Tilt Chair is a good example.

It is equally important that office furniture should also meet indoor environmental pollution standards. Certain finishes, glues and stains create emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) that are largely responsible for indoor air pollution. Eco-friendly office furniture includes powder-based finishing coats that require less energy to manufacture, create less waste and are VOC- free. Greenguard, a non-profit organization evaluates the effects of various products on the indoor air quality. Opting for furniture with a Greenguard certification ensures that only low-emission materials that are non-polluting are used in the product.

More and more business owners have recognized the importance of buying eco-friendly office furniture. With furniture-makers acknowledging the need to comply with the ever-increasing demand, many creative designers are crafting fabulous eco-friendly pieces of furniture for the environment conscious buffs who care about their actions, and office furniture is now easily available in a wide range of designs and eco-friendly materials.