Introduction to FSC certified furniture：Sustainable outdoor furniture as a new choice

Sustainability is a mindset that aims to minimize negative impacts on the environment. But what does sustainability mean when it comes to furniture? In the context of sustainable outdoor furniture, it should be designed with reusability, allowing it to be reused after disassembling or ensuring a long lifespan. 

However, how can we determine if a piece of furniture is truly sustainable and eco-friendly? This is where FSC certified furniture comes into play.

What does FSC-certified furniture mean? 

FSC certified furniture, often referred to as FSC wood furniture, is crafted from responsibly managed forests, ensuring sustainability and meeting ethical production standards. FSC certification is one of the most renowned certifications for sustainable wooden products.

Who certifies FSC certified furniture?

FSC certified furniture is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. It is an international, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting responsible forest management worldwide.
The FSC is committed to ensuring sustainable and responsible wood harvesting, minimizing  environmental impacts, and safeguarding local communities and wildlife from deforestation and harm. or .
Therefore,  opting FSC wood furniture aids  global forest conservation, reduces your environmental impacts, and promotes responsible forest management.

Want to buy sustainable patio furniture? Here’s How to recognize it.

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification is one of the most famous certification of sustainable patio furniture in the world, which ensures the wood comes from responsibly managed forests. 

• Categories of FSC certified furniture

FSC certified furniture can be categorized into three types: FSC 100%, FSC Mix, and FSC Recycled, based on the raw materials employed.
 

FSC 100% certified furniture come from forests must adhere to 10 core principles, including proper environmental practices, societal benefits, and economically feasible management. 

Sintai is one of the furniture manufacturers that utilizes FSC 100% certified wood to ensure that FSC certified furniture is both environmentally friendly and socially beneficial.

• Other organizations that certificate sustainable outdoor furniture

Most sustainable outdoor furniture is regulated with strict standards. FSC certification is one kind of green furniture certifications, consumers can also look for the following certification:

In contrast, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification focuses specifically on responsible forest management. It verifies sustainable outdoor furniture are sourced from responsibly managed forests that meet certain environmental, social, and economic standards. 

Why FSC wood furniture? Three reasons you should select sustainable outdoor furniture

FSC-certified wood furniture offers several significant advantages including eco-friendly, society-beneficial, and mitigation of climate change  for consumers and the environment. 

• Sustainable outdoor furniture is eco-friendly
  Sustainable outdoor furniture guarantees that  the wood originates from responsibly managed forests, contributing to eco-friendly practices.
  These forests are managed according to strict environmental standards, including biodiversity protection, fire prevention, and strategies to mitigate the impacts of natural events, such as floods and storms.
  Choosing sustainable outdoor furniture promotes responsible forestry practices and reduces the negative impact on the environment.
   

• FSC wood furniture is society-beneficial
  FSC wood furniture considers social aspects of forest management by ensuring the rights and welfare of local communities and workers in the forests are protected, including fair wages and safe working conditions.
  Choosing for FSC wood furniture aids ethical sourcing and improves the livelihoods of industry workers.
   

• FSC wood furniture could mitigate climate change
  FSC wood furniture plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by lowering carbon footprints and maintaining healthy forests. 
  When comparingwoods to other materials like steel or concrete, wood has a significantly lower impact on carbon emissions during the manufacturing process.
  According to the American Wood Council, using wood in construction, such as in a five-story condominium with wood-frame construction, can reduce more than 10,000 metric tons of carbon emissions.

Things you need to know when considering buying FSC wood furniture

It wouldn't be too hard for consumers to find their ideal sustainable patio furniture as there are various choices. 

• Where could we buy sustainable patio furniture?

  • West Elm: high-end furniture and home decor company known for trendy and modern designs. They are also environmentally conscious that over half of their wood furniture and 100% of their all-cotton beddings are sustainably sourced.

  • Crate & Barrel: a leading contemporary furniture company originated in Chicago. They are known for their professional sales consultant team and high quality in-store experience.

  • Pottery Barn: a popular furniture and home decor company with a more affordable price range but stable quality. Some famous sub-brands include PB apartment, PB baby, PB kids, PB teen, and PB dorm.

  • Target: one of the biggest retailers in the US, ranking No.8. 

  • CB2: a high-end furniture design company under Crate & Barrel. This brand is known for its bold and "no limited" design. There are also many exclusive editions and partnerships with other trendy brands.

  • Costco: one of the world's biggest membership-only wholesalers. Here consumers can find affordable furniture in a wide variety of styles and brands.
     

• Is FSC wood furniture more expensive?

Compared to non-certified outdoor furniture, FSC certified outdoor furniture cost 10-20% more due to the extensive rule-making and auditing involved..
However, the exact price still varies according to the quality and materials of the FSC certified outdoor furniture.

For example, the price of a modern outdoor dining furniture set could range from 900 to 2000 USD.

By looking up FSC certified outdoor furniture made with different wood types, consumers can easily find affordable and FSC certified outdoor furniture that fits their needs!

FAQs when buying FSC certified outdoor furniture

• Is FSC certified wood real wood?

FSC certified outdoor and indoor furniture both utilize genuine wood. The Forest Stewardship Council certifies wood and wood products that come from responsibly managed forests. The primary purpose of this certification is to ensure that wood products are sourced from forests that adhere to stringent environmental, social, and economic standards.

• What is the best material for outdoor furniture in a rainy climate?

For a rainy climate, teak wood and Eucalyptus  stand out as particularly suitable for outdoor furniture:
Teak Wood: Teak contains natural oils that repel water, making it durable and an excellent choice for outdoor furniture in wet conditions.
Eucalyptus: eucalyptus is the second most durable wood, surpassed only by teak. Eucalyptus wood naturally contains oil, making it very resistant to water.
Eucalyptus FSC certified furniture balances the quality and price, eucalyptus fsc certified outdoor furniture is the best outdoor furniture in a rainy climate.

• What patio furniture can I leave outside?

There are two kinds of patio furniture that can be left outside teak or eucalyptus wood furniture, and properly treated wood patio furniture.

Teak or Eucalyptus Wood Furniture:
High-quality teak or Eucalyptus wood is known to withstand outdoor conditions relatively well. However, this kind of sustainable outdoor furniture might need regular attention for maintenance
Treated Wood:
Properly prepared wood sustainable outdoor furniture, especially when treated, can be left outside throughout the yea

Sintai, a pioneer in FSC certified furniture

It's been 30 years since Sintai was founded; the founder has always adored wood and been studying wood for a long time. 
Noticing the importance of wood to the environment, the founder has also spent much effort on providing FSC certified furniture, making Sintai one of the first FSC certified furniture manufacturers to provide FSC certified furniture in China. 

• Sintai develops FSC certified furniture with hard work and high achievement

Materials used on Sintai's sustainable outdoor wood furniture are either FSC certified or third-party laboratory certified, and can pass quality standards required from their customers. 
In this industry, Target's internal certification system is regarded as one of the highest standards as it includes product risk analysis, first item inspection, incoming quality control, online quality control, labor safety precautions, just to name a few. 

Sintai is a qualified vendor of Target and has been shipping their products to Target for several years.
So far 75% of their sustainable outdoor furniture wood is FSC certified. 
As mentioned, manufacturing FSC certified furniture requires separate production lines from non FSC certified furniture; and because of this, Sintai needs to put in extra hidden costs of around $200,000 USD every year.

Sintai has devoted itself to producing quality modern outdoor dining furniture and continues to work on building a more sustainable business. To give our children a better and greener future, Sintai also plans to launch a tree planting project with the environmental foundation in 2022, where they will plant two trees for every single tree used for their production. 

Here are some eco-friendly wood products of Sintai.

• Rowan Lounge Chair
  
  1. Product Material: FSC 100% Eucalyptus + Rope
  2. Product Dimensions:
  914 L x 850 W x 660 mm H
  36 L x 33-1/2 W x 26 inches H
  3. Product Features:
  a. Modern outdoor conversation lounge chair with vertical rope detailing and soft white cushions
  b. The seat and backrest are upholstered (light gray).

• Braley_Side Chair 

1. Product Material: FSC 100% White Oak
2. Product Dimensions:
483 W x 585 D x 940 mm H
19 W x 23 D x 37 inches H
3. Product Features:
a. Classic Farmhouse X-back chair made of solid wood
b. Slat seat and round tapered legs braced by stretchers
 

• Sutton - Wood Round Dining Table
  
  1. Product Material: FSC 100% Eucalyptus
  2. Product Dimensions:
  1067 L x 1067 W x 762 mm H
  42 L x 42 W x 30 inches H
  3. Product Features:
  a. Farmhouse inspired round dining collection with tapered legs
  b. Solid wood.
   

• Marrin - Wood Side Chair 
  
  1. Product Material: FSC 100% Eucalyptus
  2. Product Dimensions:
  742 L x 790 W x 762 mm H
  29-1/4 L x 31 W x 30-1/4 inches H
  3. Product Features:
  a. Inspired by midcentury modern design
  b. side x detail and added comfort with plush cushions

 Choose Sintai for FSC certified furniture

To develop sustainably and provide a better future for our children, Sintai has been working on providing FSC certified furniture since 2000. By using FSC certified materials, forests are better protected and less carbon emissions are produced. 

Sintai has also been working with famous retailers like West Elm, Pottery Barn, and Crate & Barrel for a long time, providing them sustainable outdoor furniture. Those sustainable outdoor furniture is not only FSC certified, but they also come with all kinds of styles, patterns.. 

Trying to provide your customers with better quality and sustainable outdoor furniture? You can easily find FSC certified furniture with Sintai!

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