Sustainable Practices

As the global consumption of forest products increases, so does the necessity for responsible management. To harvest sustainably means only to take as many trees as the forest can reproduce while maintaining the diversity and integrity of the ecosystem. A responsibly managed forest can produce more, higher-quality lumber than an equal sized plantation, while preserving the indigenous ecosystem.

Compared to other building-material industries such as for metal, plastic, and cement, sustainably harvested lumber is actually a much more efficient use of resources. Trees are able to "manufacture" the lumber with no pollution, while producing positive by-products such as oxygen and healthy habitats for many other forms of life. When you buy certified forest products, you are helping support these forests and preserve the land by maintaining its economic value.

Woodshanti is certified according to the guidelines established by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC was founded in 1993 to establish international forest management standards and accredit and monitor independent certification agencies. FSC principles include:

• Conserving biological diversity and functioning ecosystems
• Maintaining high conservation-value forests
• Advancing the economic and social well-being of workers, local communities, and indigenous groups
• Establishing sound and long-term management practices

Woodshanti is certified by Scientific Certification Systems for the FSC's Chain of Custody (COC). SCS is an independent agency that provides objective evaluation of forest management practices and the tracking of forest products through the industry. This enables the public to identify products and practices that promote sustainable forest development. You may notice that some of our projects on our site say they are certified by SmartWood, this is because we switched from SmartWood to SCS in 2007 and the projects that were certified before the switch remain labeled as certified by SmartWood.The COC certification in addition to our other practices allow our product to count towards LEED Materials & Resources credits 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 7. For more information about LEED credits, see US Green Building Council.

Woodshanti goes a step beyond FSC standards by sourcing locally salvaged and recycled lumber whenever possible, thereby avoiding the substantial diesel exhaust generated in transporting lumber the great distances that have now become customary practice. Additionally, we promote the local native species that are already present on the West Coast which are less common than East Coast hardwoods but produce equally high quality lumber that is often more beautiful and unique.

Memberships

• San Francisco Urban Alliance (SFUAS)
• Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperatives (NoBAWC)
• San Francisco Bay Area, National Association of the Remodeling Industry (SFBA NARI)
• ADPSR — Architects Designers and Planners for Social Responsiblitiy
• CABN — Co-op America Business Network

 

Certifications

• Green Building Professional (certified by Build It Green)
• SF Green Business
• FSC Chain of Custody (SCS certified)

FSC Trademark © 1996 Forest Stewardship Council A.C.
The FSC Trademark identifies products which contain wood from well-managed forests certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council.