3.1.2

Timber: Environment & Ethics

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Environment and Ethics

Timbers are a fundamental and popular choice of materials for many products, furniture and structures.

Ethical factors: FSC

Ethical factors: FSC

  • FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council and they ensure there is responsible management of forests.
  • This involves the cultivating and replanting of trees.
  • Trees being cut down too quickly can result in large areas of deforestation.
  • This results in a shortage of wood and a lack of investment in the research of other materials.
Ethical factors: human costs

Ethical factors: human costs

  • Other ethical factors are the living conditions for people that are felling the trees.
  • It is important that these workers receive fair rights and good pay for what they do.
Environmental factors

Environmental factors

  • Environmental factors: recyclable or reused materials.
  • Timbers can be reproduced from recycling such as MDF and composite boards.
Forestry management

Forestry management

  • FSC ensure the proper management of forests so trees are as sustainable as possible.
  • This is simply the process of cutting and removing a tree and planting a sapling in its place to ensure there are enough trees in the world to counter global warming by absorbing CO2 and giving out O2.
Reusing and recycling

Reusing and recycling

  • Reusing materials and upcycling furniture is another technique in which we can reduce the use of wood as a material while still delivering interesting and useful products.
  • Materials such as chipboard can be economically made to ensure that there is the strength but still retaining value for money.

Social and Cultural Factors

Timbers are a fundamental and popular choice of materials for many products, furniture and structures.

Social factors: social responsibility

Social factors: social responsibility

  • We have a social responsibility to ensure that there are trees still in this world.
  • To ensure social harmony and for the future of this planet trees are important.
  • It is the responsibility of the carpenter and designer to use a reputable and environmentally friendly wholesaler or source.
IKEA

IKEA

  • IKEA is now being more sustainable by owning and managing their own forests.
  • They tend to use softwoods and use smaller lengths of wood joined together with finger joints which are secured with wood adhesive.
  • This allows them to use their own stock sizes for materials.
Cultural factors

Cultural factors

  • There are many different cultures that want to use native woods.
  • In some countries, trees are needed for indigenous species and people of that country.
  • This can bring about homelessness and a lack of insect population.
Cultural factors cont.

Cultural factors cont.

  • Some tree species have been transported from countries which have had insect infestations, which have then made its way to other countries.
  • Over the course of history, Africa has lost many of its older wooden masks, these are now seen in museums.
Jump to other topics
1

Core Technical Principles

1.1

New & Emerging Technologies

1.1.1Industry1.1.2Enterprise1.1.3Sustainability1.1.4People1.1.5Culture & Society1.1.6Environment1.1.7Production Techniques & Systems1.1.8Emerging Technologies & Design1.1.9End of Topic Test - New & Emerging Technologies1.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Emerging Technologies
1.2

Energy Generation & Storage

1.2.1Fossil Fuels & Nuclear1.2.2Renewable Energy1.2.3Energy Storage Systems
1.3

Developments in New Materials

1.3.1Modern Materials1.3.2Smart Materials1.3.3Exam-Style Questions - Smart Materials1.3.4Composite Materials1.3.5Technical Textiles
1.4

Systems Approach to Designing

1.4.1Inputs1.4.2Processes1.4.3Outputs1.4.4Looped Systems
1.5

Mechanical Devices

1.5.1Types of Movement1.5.2Levers1.5.3Linkages1.5.4Rotary Systems1.5.5End of Topic Test - Designing & Mechanical Devices
1.6

Materials Categories

1.6.1Timbers1.6.2Metals & Alloys1.6.3Metals & Alloys 21.6.4Polymers1.6.5Polymer Types1.6.6Textiles1.6.7Textile Types: Fibres1.6.8Textile Types: Weave1.6.9Paper & Boards
1.7

Material Properties

1.7.1Physical & Working Properties1.7.2End of Topic Test - Materials1.7.3Exam-Style Questions - Materials
2

Paper & Board: Specialist Technical Principles

2.1

Selection of Materials

2.1.1Paper & Boards2.1.2Working with Paper & Boards
2.2

Paper & Board: Forces & Stresses

2.2.1Paper & Board: Forces & Stresses2.2.2Cardboard & Paper
2.3

Paper & Board: Ecological & Social Footprint

2.3.1Paper & Board: Ecological & Social Footprint2.3.2Paper & Board: The Six Rs2.3.3Social Issues
2.4

Paper & Board: Sources & Origins

2.4.1Paper & Board2.4.2End of Topic Test - Paper & Board
2.5

Paper & Board: Using Materials

2.5.1Paper & Board: Properties of Materials2.5.2Paper & Board: Modification of Materials2.5.3Paper & Board: Shape & Form
2.6

Paper & Board: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes

2.6.1Paper & Board: Forms2.6.2Paper & Board: Types2.6.3Paper & Board: Sizes2.6.4Paper & Board: Standards Components
2.7

Paper & Board: Scales of Production

2.7.1Paper & Board: Scales of Production2.7.2Exam-Style Questions - Scales of Production
2.8

Paper & Board: Specialist Techniques & Processes

2.8.1Paper & Board: Techniques & Processes2.8.2Paper & Board: Quality Control
2.9

Paper & Board: Surface Treatments & Finishes

2.9.1Paper & Board: Surface Treatments & Finishes2.9.2End of Topic Test - Specialist Techniques
3

Timber: Specialist Technical Principles

3.1

Timber: Selection of Materials

3.1.1Timber Based Materials3.1.2Timber: Environment & Ethics
3.2

Timber: Forces & Stresses

3.2.1Timber: Forces & Stresses3.2.2Timber
3.3

Timber: Ecological & Social Footprint

3.3.1Timber: Ecological & Social Footprint3.3.2Timber: The Six Rs3.3.3Timber: Social Issues3.3.4Exam-Style Questions - Timber
3.4

Timber: Sources & Origins

3.4.1Timber3.4.2Timber: Processing & Seasoning3.4.3Manufactured Board3.4.4End of Topic Test - Timber
3.5

Timber: Using Materials

3.5.1Timber: Properties of Materials3.5.2Timber: Modification of Materials3.5.3Timber: Shape & Form3.5.4Timber: Shape & Form 2
3.6

Timber: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes

3.6.1Timber: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes
3.7

Timber: Scales of Production

3.7.1Timber: Scales of Production
3.8

Timber: Specialist Techniques & Processes

3.8.1Timber: Tools, Equipment & Processes3.8.2Timber: Tools, Equipment & Processes 23.8.3Timber: Quality Control
3.9

Timber: Surface Treatments & Finishes

3.9.1Timber: Surface Treatments3.9.2Timber: Finishes3.9.3End of Topic Test - Specialist Techniques
4

Metal: Specialist Technical Principles

4.1

Metals: Selection of Materials

4.1.1Metal-Based Materials4.1.2Ferrous Metals4.1.3Non-Ferrous Metals4.1.4Alloys4.1.5Metals: Environment & Ethics
4.2

Metals: Forces & Stresses

4.2.1Metals: Forces & Stresses
4.3

Metals: Ecological & Social Footprint

4.3.1Metals: Ecological Footprint4.3.2Metals: Social Footprint4.3.3Metals: The Six R's4.3.4Metals: Social Issues
4.4

Metals: Sources & Origins

4.4.1Origins of Metal4.4.2Processing Metals
4.5

Metals: Alloy-Based Materials

4.5.1Types of Metal Alloys4.5.2Alloying Elements4.5.3Properties & Benefits4.5.4Processing & Fabrication4.5.5Applications of Alloys4.5.6Metal Alloys in Industry4.5.7Applications of Metal Alloys
4.6

Metals: Using Materials

4.6.1Properties of Metals4.6.2Modification of Metals4.6.3Metals: Shape & Form
4.7

Metals: Scales of Production

4.7.1Metals: Scales of Production
4.8

Metals: Specialist Techniques & Processes

4.8.1Metals: Tools4.8.2Metals: Tools & Equipment4.8.3Metals: Cutting, Forming & Machining Processes4.8.4Metals: Joining, Casting & Heat Treatment Process
4.9

Metals: Quality Control

4.9.1Metals: Quality Control4.9.2Metals: Quality Control Processes
4.10

Metals: Surface Treatments & Finishes

4.10.1Metals: Surface Treatments4.10.2Metals: Surface Treatments for Metals4.10.3Metals: Finishes4.10.4Metals: Finishing Techniques for Metals
5

Polymers: Specialist Technical Principles

5.1

Polymers

5.1.1Polymers: Functionality & Aesthetics5.1.2Polymers: Environment & Ethics5.1.3Polymers: Sources, Origins & Properties5.1.4Polymers: Forces & Stresses5.1.5Polymers: Ecological & Social Footprint5.1.6Polymers: The Six R's
5.2

Polymer Categories

5.2.1Categories of Polymers5.2.2Thermoforming Polymers5.2.3Thermosetting Polymers
5.3

Polymer Forms

5.3.1Polymers: Stock Forms5.3.2Polymers: Shape & Form
5.4

Polymer Production, Techniques & Quality Control

5.4.1Polymers: Scales of Production5.4.2Polymers: Specialist Techniques & Processes5.4.3Polymers: Quality Control Systems: Tolerance5.4.4Polymers: Finishes
6

Textiles: Specialist Technical Principles

6.1

Textile Materials

6.1.1Origin of Textiles6.1.2Textile Industry
6.2

Selection of Materials

6.2.1Natural Fibres6.2.2Synthetic Fibres6.2.3Environmental Concerns6.2.4Environmental Impact6.2.5Ethical Challenges
6.3

Forces & Stresses

6.3.1Forces & Stresses
6.4

Ecological & Social Footprint

6.4.1Ecological Footprint6.4.2Social Footprint6.4.3Addressing Ecological & Social Footprints6.4.4The Six R's6.4.5Labour Conditions6.4.6Social Issues6.4.7Addressing Social Issues
7

Designing & Making Principles

7.1

Investigation & Data

7.1.1Iterative Design7.1.2Primary & Secondary Data7.1.3Market Research7.1.4Ergonomics7.1.5Specifications7.1.6End of Topic Test - Investigation & Data7.1.7Exam-Style Questions - Specifications
7.2

Environmental, Social & Economic Challenges

7.2.1Challenges7.2.2Your Research
7.3

The Work of Others

7.3.1Designers7.3.2Architects7.3.3Product Design7.3.4Industrial Designers7.3.5Product Design Companies7.3.6Textile Design Companies7.3.7End of Topic Test - The Work of Others
7.4

Design Strategies

7.4.1Design Strategies
7.5

Communication of Design Ideas

7.5.1Design Communication
7.6

Prototype Development

7.6.1Prototype Development
7.7

Selection of Materials

7.7.1Materials
7.8

Tolerances

7.8.1Tolerances
7.9

Material Management

7.9.1Managing Material7.9.2Tools
7.10

Specialist Equipment

7.10.1Health & Safety
7.11

Specialist Techniques & Processes

7.11.1Specialist Techniques & Processes7.11.2Surface Finishes7.11.3End of Topic Test - Designing & Making

Practice questions on Timber: Environment & Ethics

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which of these timbers can be produced from recycled wood?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Which of these timbers can NOT be made from recycled wood?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Ways IKEA is being more sustainable: Fill in the list
  4. 4
    Which major furniture company is making efforts to be more sustainable? Multiple choice
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Timber Based Materials

Timber: Forces & Stresses