15 billion trees are cut down every year due to deforestation. In numbers that is 15 followed by zeroes - 15,000,000,000. If we assume even 10 percent of this to be used for household and furniture use, that's close to 1.5 billion trees, every year.

Of course, furniture is very subjective and is something that is transitive for everybody. You will need to change some furniture every year because of the regular wear and tear, or because you need a change or you are renovating. Whatever the reason, it might require wood if you don't want rust forming on your metal shelf by the time the first heavy rain has receded.

The obvious question arises - we can recycle wood, right?

I mean, yes but...

One, not all wood is recyclable.

Two, Wood follows a different and more complex process to recycle.

Three, it might not recreate the same quality and finish.

Let's first understand what recycling wood involves. Wood cannot just be disposed of in the regular recycling bin. Your local recycling facility most probably does not have the required resources to process and recycle wood. The reason wood isn't recyclable but paper is, is because paper is made from wood pulp which has already been cleaned, shredded and processed once. Therefore, wood is pretty much a raw material that just undergoes basic conditioning and craftsmanship to create furniture. This makes it highly difficult to recycle. Wood needs to be taken to a special wood recycling facility that has the equipment to clean and chip it to shreds for it to be used again. Then, the shredded wood can be sold to other companies that can turn it into other products like paper, etc.

Now, wood that is used for furniture is mostly conditioned - it is painted with colors that may have toxins and hence, is considered hazardous waste by recycling facilities. So your dog's old kennel, your old painted shelf, your bookshelf - everything is considered hazardous to recycling by wood recycling plants.

To sum up wooden furniture being recycled - unless you have a plain wooden stool with no polish and no paint, it is most probably not recyclable.

Now, don't get in a fix because wooden furniture in some cases cannot be replaced. But what about the cases where they can be replaced?

Like a laptop stand, or a small shelf for your books, or any of the other products we offer? *wink*

Well, cardboard furniture seemed the obvious answer to us while thinking about environmentally sustainable and recyclable alternatives. Cardboard furniture is easy to recycle, easy on the pocket and hence can be periodically changed as well, adapting to your style from time to time and not feeling a single ounce of guilt. Check out more about us here.

Now, we are not trying to downplay wood as a raw material but rather, we are encouraging you to use environmentally-friendly alternatives wherever possible. So do check out our products and join us on the journey of sustainability with a choice!

#sustainabiitywithachoice