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Here's a surprise. "Green" office furniture no longer costs more than non-green. The past decade, those prices have steadily fallen to the point that it now typically costs at least 25 -percent less than non-green new furniture. And "gently recycled' (greeners dislike the term "used") green office furnishings can offer even greater savings of up to 50 percent off of new non-green furniture. So now you can not only save money, but help the environment. Government incentives and a desire for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification of businesses are two primary reasons for this trend. But customer expectations are also an important reason. More than 60 percent of American adults are either "as likely," or "more likely," to visit a business that focuses on being green. Some go out of their way to show their support; regardless of distance or effort required, according to a 2010 Harris Interactive study. And smart business owners know that if being environmentally friendly can produce a larger, more loyal customer base - and higher profits - "going green" is a good investment. But there are other reasons why owners are outfitting their businesses with green office furniture. Green helps clear the air. It helps indoor air quality, which makes workers more productive: Furniture that has low volatile organic coating (VOC) and low (or no) levels of other harmful chemicals immediately improve the quality of the air that you and your staff breathe. VOCs are gases that are emitted from paints, other finishes, glues, carpets, building materials, plastics and many other products. Studies show that improved indoor air quality boosts employee productivity and improves concentration, calculation and memory levels. According to the EPA, overall employee performance, speed and accuracy increase as much as 16 percent when indoor pollutant sources are removed. Green office furniture can boost staff morale. Several for-profit and nonprofit workplace surveys find that employees care about protecting the environment. So it follows that working for an employer who makes green, eco-friendly choices makes employees feel even more positive about their work. And those surveyed said that employers who choose eco-friendly office furniture are telling them how much they care about their employees. Green helps landfills. Furniture that is constructed from recycled materials, such as recycled steel, makes an impact on the amount of hazardous materials that end up as trash. Plus, choosing office furniture that is constructed with biodegradable materials is certain to have a strong and positive future impact on the environment. Environmental experts estimate that 1.5 million desks and 8.25 million office chairs are thrown away every year in the U.S. When looking at green office furnishings, look for these certifications: * Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) tells you the furniture is made from sustainably harvested wood. * Green Guard tells you the furniture is made from non-toxic finishing materials. * Cradle to Cradle (C2C) confirms the furniture is made from safe and fully recyclable materials. * Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) considers material characteristics, energy use, environmental impact and social responsibility before certifying products. In need of office furniture, Portland? We carry high quality, innovative designs to help boost productivity and comfort. For more information please visit our website at http://www.environmentsnw.com.
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