Glossary

SUSTAINABLY MANAGED FORESTS: There are several different certifications available depending on the source of the wood. In general, sustainable forest management certifications require the grower to meet a variety of stringent conditions to receive certification. These conditions include compliance with all applicable laws, legal rights to the land, respect of indigenous peoples and workers rights, a complete assessment of environmental impact, a clearly written management plan, and continuing monitoring and assessment.

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCs) are gases or vapours emitted by various solids or liquids, many of which have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Household products that emit VOCs include paint, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, glues and adhesives, building materials and furnishings. Consequently, concentrations of many VOCs are higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. In addition to being a source of indoor pollution, VOC’s are also a source of greenhouse gases.

ORGANIC COTTON: Organic Cotton is grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers and is finished into textiles using low-impact dyes. Insects are kept in check with the use of beneficial insects and crop rotation. Soil is improved by the addition of compost, and weeds are removed by tilling or by hand. Cotton grown using conventional farming techniques uses approximately 25% of the insecticides and 10% of the pesticides used for all agriculture, large amounts of fertilizers and is usually finished into textiles using toxic dyes.

ORGANIC WOOL: Organic Wool is produced from sheep who are fed organic feed and are not given antibiotic or growth hormones. The sheep are not “dipped” to control parasites and no pesticides are used in feed or on the pasture land. The wool is then processed using minimal processing techniques to restrict the use of chemicals. The use of organic wool is good for the environment, the workers and the continued sustainability of family farms. Conventional wool is produced from sheep who are frequently “dipped” in toxic chemicals to control parasites and are given hormones to facilitate growth. The use of pesticides both on the land and the sheep is a risk to the workers, the land, and the consumer.

HEMP: Hemp is one of the oldest cultivated crops and its use dates back to the stone age. It is also one of the most environmentally friendly fibers in the world and requires no pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers, and uses very little water. Hemp exhibits eight times the strength of cotton and can be woven into a variety of textures. Although currently illegal to cultivate in the U.S., hemp is a fast growing, environmentally sound substitute for cotton and wood fibers, requiring little or no chemicals to produce paper, textiles, and a variety of other products.

KAPOK: Kapok is made from the natural tree seed fiber of the Cieba tree. The seed pods are harvested by hand and the fiber is separated, cleaned and dried. The resulting fiber is very soft like down, yet extremely resilient and provides excellent comfort and support. As the fiber is harvested from the seed pods of the tree, the tree itself is not harmed in the process. The labor intensive harvesting process supports the indigenous people of the area, and helps prevent the deforestation of tropical rain forests.

NATURAL LATEX: Natural Latex is produced from the milky white sap of the rubber tree (Hevea Brasiliensis). No harmful chemicals are used in its production, it is biodegradable and has a life expectancy of 20 years or more. It has a superior feel to polyurethane foam and provides unsurpassed resiliency and comfort.

CRADLE TO CRADLE:  This concept was developed by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry.  Cradle to Cradle Design is a fundamental conceptual shift away from the flawed system design of the Industrial Revolution. Instead of designing products and systems based on the take-make-waste model of the last century (‘cradle to grave’), MBDC’s Cradle to Cradle Design paradigm is powering the Next Industrial Revolution, in which products and services are designed based on patterns found in nature, eliminating the concept of waste entirely and creating an abundance that is healthy and sustaining.

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