Doing the utmost to minimise the environmental footprint in design and construction is no longer a unique undertaking – it is wholly expected, and the sourcing of sustainable products is a vital part of any environmentally and socially responsible project.
With today’s market containing no shortage of manufacturers and distributors hawking their sustainable wares, you would imagine sourcing the right materials for your project would be no trouble at all. Unfortunately, you’d be wrong. Blurred lines in defining what constitutes sustainable, as well as false or exaggerated claims made by many companies has made doing the right thing something that could easily go wrong.
So what is sustainable timber, and how can you be sure that what you’re sourcing is to Australian standards?
Sustainable timber refers to timber that has been harvested responsibly. That is, for each tree that is cut down for use another is planted to replace it. It also involves ensuring that no damage is done to the surrounding environment, or to the native flora and fauna.
There are a number of organisations in existence that promote the sustainable management of the world’s forests. When sourcing sustainable timber it is important to ensure that it has been certified as such by a recognised organisation. Internationally, The Forestry Stewardship Council of Australia (FSC) and The Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) are considered the benchmarks for timber certification.
In addition to the natural environment, providing a sustainable indoor atmosphere is also now a key consideration when sourcing building materials. With Australian’s spending 90% or more of their time indoors, it is important that the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is suitable for the people using the building and their needs.
Unclean air and unhealthy levels of noise negatively impacts the concentration, comfort and stress levels of those within, and can bring about millions of dollars of unrecognised costs to organisations through increased employee turnover, absenteeism, lowered productivity and potential contribution to accidents.
When sourcing sustainable timber, there is no substitute to consultation from an experienced professional, but it also helps to arm yourself with as much information as possible before making the first enquiry.
To find out more about sustainable timber and what considerations MUST be made when sourcing for your next project, CLICK HERE and download the free whitepaper 'Sustainable Timber Acoustic Panels – Improving Quality of Life Now and Into the Future’
