Earth Day recently passed on April 22nd, and World Environment Day which occurs on June 5th is quickly approaching. At E_M Custom Flooring & Installations, we are going to honor these holidays by providing you with general information pertaining to the environment along with some of the steps taken by the flooring industry to promote a sustainable future.
Earth Day – A Brief History
Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22nd, 1970, making this year its 50th anniversary! Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring, released in 1962, was one of the first books pertaining to environmental science to become an international best seller. Silent Spring exponentially increased global awareness on the issues facing our environment, and eventually helped lead Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin to spark a domino effect in the late 1960s with Earth Day as one of the eventual outcomes. Within under a year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created and began to pass eco-friendly legislation such as the National Environmental Education Act and the Clean Water Act.
Sustainability in the United States
In the decades after the first Earth Day was celebrated, the United States has taken many steps in attempt to promote a sustainable future. One of the major legislative actions put into action was the enactment of the US Lacey Act.
US Lacey Act
Although initially put into effect in 1900 to prevent the trafficking of illegal wildlife, the Lacey Act was amended in 2008 to include products made from plants including timber.
“The Lacey Act combats trafficking in “illegal” wildlife, fish, and plants. The 2008 Farm Bill (the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008), effective May 22, 2008, amended the Lacey Act by expanding its protection to a broader range of plants and plant products. The Lacey Act now, among other things, makes it unlawful to import certain plants and plant products without an import declaration.”
–United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Along with the Lacey Act, the USDA has also developed a stringent set of laws and guidelines specifically pertaining to timber and timber products.
The National Wood Flooring Association
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) developed the industry standards that mills and other members of the wood flooring industry must comply with. These standards help to ensure that the timber used in the production of wood flooring is obtained in a sustainable manner which minimizes the industry’s carbon footprint.
Promoting Sustainability With Wood Flooring
“Wood-based designs have also been demonstrated to improve energy efficiency, thereby reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling. Presently, the market for wood and other related forest products supports more than one million direct jobs, many in rural America. As these markets expand, so will the economic opportunities.”
At E_M Custom Flooring & Installations, many of the wood flooring products we sell and install come from responsibly managed forests. We refuse to cut corners, and whenever there is an opportunity to further promote sustainability within the flooring industry, we take it. Contact us today and learn how our eco-friendly wood flooring can improve your home while decreasing your carbon footprint.
