Timber: Environment & Ethics
Design & Technology: AQA GCSE, topic 3.1.2
Environment and Ethics
Timbers are a fundamental and popular choice of materials for many products, furniture and structures.
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
- 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: recyclable or reused materials.
- Timbers can be reproduced from recycling such as MDF and composite boards.
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 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
- 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 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
- 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.
- 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.
Test yourself on Timber: Environment & Ethics
Which of these timbers can be produced from recycled wood?
Which of these timbers can NOT be made from recycled wood?
Which major furniture company is making efforts to be more sustainable?