Cross-laminated timber (CLT) in 2017

You step out into the fresh air. Inhale the scent of nature surrounding you – that refreshing homeliness of greenery in the summer, reddish hues in the autumn or blossoming in the spring. Nature really does treat us good, doesn’t it?

So the question is, why aren’t we treating nature as well as it treats us? This article will discuss a recent WWF report which has found that luxury brands are failing to source sustainable timber, and why this is a big issue.

Living luxuriously, but not lovingly

Sustainability is a pretty big deal these days, especially when you consider that the world’s resources are currently being used at an average of 1.5 times more than that which are available. So surely we’d be expecting those high end, high cost, luxury retailers like Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges to be helping to save that?

Sadly, this isn’t the case. The WWF report shows that these major luxury retailers, and in specific furniture retailers, are failing to take sufficient action when it comes to making sure their wood products haven’t contributed to deforestation.

And this isn’t a recent thing – of the 30 British retailers to score 0 this year when it comes to how sustainable their products are, 15 of those scored 0 in 2015.

The dangers of deforestation

So if it isn’t sustainable, where does it come from? Well, WWF indicates that the UK imports €1.9bn worth of furniture from “high risk” countries with recognised illegal logging and trade issues. This means that in these countries, harmful, unsustainable deforestation is happening every day.

Deforestation poses a lot of problems and if businesses don’t change their ways, the more serious effects of deforestation will continue to rise, which could include a rise in sea levels and unclean air.

Time to take back the land…

…But sustainably! Timber is one of the most sustainable and environmentally favourable construction materials around and at International Timber, we’re dedicated to reducing the impact on the world’s resources.

We thoroughly check all of our suppliers, and work to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable businesses. Timber can be recycled, it reduces Co2 levels, and it can be used as biofuel – it has everything, so we need to stop it from being reduced to nothing!

Find out more about our sustainability practices right here!

And that’s it!

Utilising sustainably sourced timber is incredibly important in our ever-developing world, and we hope this helps to raise a little bit more awareness about the situation.

If you want to chat any more about this issue drop us a tweet, or if you have any timber needs just get in touch and we’ll help you with your sustainably-sourced timber needs.