The buzz in design is sustainability. What is sustainability...sustainability is the idea of ensuring that newly designed products or developed projects meet current needs; however, do not take away the capacity for future generations to design and develop for their needs.
I mean...WHO DOES NOT LOVE THIS IDEA???? But here is my problem....what design products or projects can I take part in that will uphold to these sustainable ideals? It seems there are always trade-offs I am making with "so-called" sustainable or green products. For example: linoleum floors are eco-friendly; however, the adhesive used for them are caustic to the environment....WHAT? Oh, and vinyl flooring, that may not be so great for the environment, but, the adhesive is more environmentally friendly.....HELP!!!!!
And the latest craze....eucalyptus wood..."Oh darling, you must have European Eucalyptus Wood!" Well guess what, 1) Eucalyptus is being grown in places it is not indigenous to due to rising demand... and, when grown in large forested quantitiesl it puts out a toxic gas. This toxic gas is harmful to those animals NOT indigenous to eucalyptus trees! 2) The oil vapors of eucalyptus trees are HIGHLY flammable and are released in VERY warm tempratures. Thus, eucalyptus trees have been known to self- combust. This creates fast burning forest fires that emit the toxic gasses of the eucalyptus tree.
Let me ask you ~ is this being stewards to the environment for future generations?
To me, the best practice in sustainable design is in the re-use or adaptation of the old into something new.
I would like for this blog to promote design ideas as a "RE-VISION" to old items for new design purposes. Instead of being so quick to throw things out, lets find new and creative ways to use them. Instead of buying something new...lets take time to look in a thrift shop ...who knows what we might find.
I am on a new life trend...changes in this crazy, wonderful life of mine....join me in finding the beauty of design in everything.
Consider bamboo or cork.... I believe each could satisfy any green or sustainability requirements you may have without sacrificing quality, MAC :-)
ReplyDeleteTrue MAC...and I prefer cork myself; however, as with all this sustainible craze...with wood, you are provided with certification of being green, but there is no such certification for bamboo and cork. Thus, you have no idea where it was harvested from and the impact it had on the surronding environment.
ReplyDelete... and if someone doesn't "certify" it as green, does that mean it's not green, or that a certifying body just hasn't found a way to make a dime off of it yet? "Craze" is the correct word.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct MAC...key word is Craze!!!! I was researcing on green dorms (looking to do article on dorms) and there was one talking about how to re-use furniture from thrift shops and antique shop...BUT DO NOT GET PLASTIC....What? Are they nuts? It is already made and the idea is to re-use it, why not plastic?
ReplyDelete