Guide To: Green furniture and supplies for the home office
Marketplace Link: Green stores

Earlier this week, Sonia posted a great Home Hack on how to green your home office, with tips on using EPEAT-rated electronics, recycled paper, and second-hand furnishings. As a follow-up to that post, we're providing some specific resources for green tech, furniture, and supplies.

Steelcase (Online): Most of their task chairs are made from over 90 percent recyclable parts, and many products have Cradle to Cradle certification. This designation, established by MBDC, is rooted in the principles of William McDonough and Michael Braungart's seminal work on green design. To earn the certification, products must meet a checklist of environmental standards, similar to LEED certification for buildings.

Brook Farm General Store (Brooklyn/Online): This store is a good resource for green desktop items, like radios, clocks, and lamps. Brook Farm's aesthetic is simple and clean-lined, and products are made from durable materials like wood and stainless steel.

Verdant Computing (Online): Carl Foner, Verdant Computing's founder, took on the difficult task of providing greener tech in a field where sustainable manufacturing is the exception rather than the rule. The green criteria for each product is clearly listed on the site. For instance, Lenovo's ThinkVision L1700P monitor is EPEAT Gold and GREENGUARD certified, ENERGY STAR 4.1 compliant, and made from 30 percent post-consumer recycled plastic content.

Gaiam (Online): This online and catalog retailer is a comprehensive source for "wellness" products: air purifiers, water filters, energy-efficient climate control devices, etc. They carry a range of HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) air filters, as well as humidifiers, heaters, and fans.

Lampa (Online): Based in Aquebogue, New York, Lampa's lighting is compatible with compact fluorescent bulbs and they have a product take-back policy for recycling fixtures. Many of their drum shades and lamp bases are crafted from FSC-certified woods and veneers.

The Ultimate Green Store (Online): This store bills itself as a "one stop green shopping destination," and they have a good office supply department with green furniture, recycled paper, and recycling bins, among other things.

Vivavi (New York/Online): Founded by Josh Dorfman (host of The Lazy Environmentalist, a nationally broadcast radio and TV show), Vivavi is a leader in the field of modern green furniture. The store focuses on higher-end products that combine exceptional contemporary design with FSC certified wood, recycled materials, organic fabrics, and other green materials.

Rehab Vintage (Los Angeles/Online): This store specializes in second-hand industrial chic pieces, and they have a big selection of used file cabinets, steel desks, work chairs, and case pieces. Quality and prices are on the higher end. (If you're on a budget and you have time to search, you can try shopping for similar stuff at thrift stores.)

Green Depot (Various Locations/Online): Like HomeDepot, but greener, these stores are a comprehensive resource for hardware, lighting, power strips, chargers, etc. Their energy monitors and smart power strips can help you conserve the amount of juice you're using for your electronics.

Etcetera Media: Boston-based designers Kelly Smith and Chris Grimley create cool, modern desktop storage pieces out of wool felt. Their popular book boxes are made from Kvadrat's naturally water-resistant wool felt and come in 4 color combinations.