Timber is said to be the construction industry’s solution to the climate emergency. In this post, we’re going to unpick this powerful claim to understand exactly why wood - in its different forms - is one of the most sustainable construction materials out there.
In a world that is increasingly mindful of the environment and the planet we’re bequeathing to the younger generations, sustainability has never been more at the forefront of our minds. Preventing the climate emergency touches every aspect of our lives, and the construction industry is no exception. Contributing a total of 40% to global greenhouse gas emissions, this sector clearly has a way to go on its sustainability journey.
Fortunately, the answer may come in the form of timber, which is available in different forms. In this post, we’re going to consider just what makes timber sustainable before highlighting Garnica’s piece in the eco-puzzle, and looking at two different types of timber.
How is Timber Sustainable?
Timber is an eco-friendly replacement for other contaminating materials commonly used in the construction industry, such as concrete and steel, which account for 5% of global emissions each. Its benefits as a sustainable construction material are threefold:
1. It avoids the generation of CO2 that would have occurred in the production of other less sustainable materials.
2. It absorbs CO2, preventing it from getting into the atmosphere.
3. It originates from forests, which when sustainably managed, both absorb CO2 and return oxygen into the atmosphere.
Here at Garnica, we are committed to the sustainable production of our plywood to help look after the planet. Read on to discover just how we do it.
Garnica’s Sustainable Forestry
Garnica sources the timber for its plywood from purpose-grown farms located primarily in Spain and France. Not only are these forests sustainably managed, our farms prevent deforestation, as natural woodland is not harvested for our production purposes; indeed, we actually contribute to reforestation, creating more green spaces that absorb CO2.
Poplar, A Sustainable Timber
Poplar is the primary wood we use to manufacture our plywood. It is considered a sustainable timber as it has the greatest CO2 absorption on the planet, averaging 22 tons per hectare/year. Poplar is also outstanding for its rapid growth and water purification ability. This in turn means products derived from poplar are large carbon dioxide collectors. Every m3 of panel absorbs 650-700 of CO2, returning significant amounts of oxygen into the atmosphere.
At Garnica, we are a plywood specialist working with fast-growing trees grown in sustainable European farms. Are you on board with our eco-mission? Discover the nearest Garnica sales point to you and be part of the sustainable revolution.
