Sustainable Lumber Sourcing:

The adoption of sustainable lumber sourcing has been a growing interest within the construction industry for many years. The interest responds to the prevailing concerns of conventional lumber procurement, often marked by practices that disrupt ecosystems. Such practices include premature harvesting and inadequate tree replenishment, leading to deforestation and habitat loss. Two long-standing programs that are the most heavily used for certification include FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative). Suppliers can gain certification in these programs and supply lumber that has been strictly controlled in accordance with the program requirements. Some of these certifications are used in constructing LEED certified buildings as defined by the US Green Building Council. While the demand for certified products ebbs and flows, it has been growing over the past decade. Frisco Woodline is an FSC Certified company and can supply these products that help to create a more sustainable future. 

Promoting Renewable and Recycled Materials:

Another way that lumber suppliers are able to aid in green building practices is by providing and promoting renewable and recycled materials. Every day, it seems there is a new product out there that is more eco-friendly and more sustainable than the last. Some of those products are engineered wood products created with fast growing, sustainably sourced lumber as well as engineered wood products that are created with recycled materials that would have otherwise been wasted. By not only providing these materials, but also actively promoting them, lumber suppliers increase awareness of these products’ existence, boosting the chances of their usage over materials that may have had a more negative environmental impact during production. Some examples of these products include Sylvanex Composite Decking and Kebony.

Energy Efficient Manufacturing Processes:

Lumber suppliers are also investing in more energy-efficient manufacturing processes in an attempt to reduce their carbon footprint. By utilizing high-efficiency machinery and implementing automated systems for precise cutting and shaping, lumber suppliers can reduce their production of greenhouse gasses and lumber waste simultaneously. Any scraps produced from cutting and shaping lumber can also be recycled into useful materials, making it a zero-waste operation. Some examples of recycled scraps include wood chips used in landscaping, sawdust used at farms, and wooden pellets used as biomass fuel.

Eco-Friendly Treatment Methods:

By employing alternative treating methods, suppliers can provide more environmentally-friendly wood products. Additionally, providing treated lumber that utilizes fewer toxic chemicals makes it safer for use around humans and animals. This not only helps the environment during the products’ manufacturing but also post-installation. Some practices that are growing in popularity include:

• Thermally Modified Treatments
• Enzyme Based Treatments
• Nano-Particle Based Treatments
• The use of eco-friendly preservatives such as Borates, Copper Based Preservatives, and Vegetable Oil Based Preservatives.

Educating and Empowering Customers:

As we all know by now, knowledge is power. Providing education is just as important as participating in eco-friendly practices. Changes can’t be made if people are not aware of the problems and the solutions to those problems. That is why it is important for those within this industry to educate themselves and others on the opportunities being provided to help the environment. It is also important for those suppliers to empower their customers to look at the alternative, eco-friendly products as options to be used in their projects.

The lumber industry has taken significant strides in embracing sustainable and eco-friendly practices to contribute to a greener future. We are only in the beginning stages of improving our eco-friendly methods. As we continue to explore innovative solutions and embrace these practices, we are fostering a more sustainable planet for generations to come. Together, we can build a future where sustainable lumber sourcing and green building practices are at the forefront of the construction industry’s mission to safeguard our natural resources.