Green Policy

We agree there is need for a balance. Sustainability standards address issues that make it possible to log natural forests in an environmentally friendly manner. This will enable a stable ecosystem and timber harvesting to continue indefinitely at the same rate as replacement timber growth.

Lumber Mart is strongly committed towards supporting the push for sustainable buildings in Malaysia. The Green Series by Lumber Mart is the first step in support of the Malaysian Green Building Index (GBI). The Green Series by Lumber Mart is an environmentally-friendly selection of timber flooring that enables discerning customers to make eco-friendly lifestyle choices that come from reliable sources.

Today, Lumber Mart provides a wide range of solid timbers sourced only from ecologically-managed forests.

FAQs on our green policy:-

What is the definition of ‘Green’ timber?

The definition of Green timber is very broad and every industry players, government agency, Non Government Agency (NGO) and Environmentalist has their own criteria. For Example Rubber Wood as in accordance with the Malaysian government and NGO’s here and most countries like USA consider it as green as it is a plantation timber but the European based FSC  still requires our Rubber Wood Forest to be registered with their programme and follow their strict control methods in order for them to be certified green.

What is Lumber Mart’s Green Policy means? What is the objective of Lumber Mart’s Green Policy?

Lumber Mart’s Green Policy has always been buying from all legal sources. There is a fee that we paid for every container to the respective governments. The fees are used for reforestation programmes in their respective countries. Our objective is to help the governments or the countries of origins to control the amount of illegal timbers being cut in their respective regions and to pay whatever fees that are due for their governments to do the reforestation programmes. However this year we are bringing our Green Policy to a higher level. We are joining the most reputable Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) , an independent NGO based in Europe that put strict requirements for their members to follow.

What are the certificates that we can look out to ensure the product (timber) is truly green?

The most reputable green timber certification agency in the world is FSC. If you are purchasing or specifying material that comes from FSC you can rest assured that it is green as it passes through countless audit to ensure that the material labeled FSC are truly green.

Which certifications that Lumber mart is adhering to ensure the products are green labeled?

FSC and Green Guard (USA) and Green label (Singapore) for timbers, our coating and adhesive.

Does Lumber Mart’s ‘Green Certified timber’ is complied to Green Building Index (GBI) standards?

Yes.

Which certification is recognized by Green Building Index (GBI)?

Only FSC and MTCC (Malaysian Timber Certification Council).

Who issues the certifications? Can Lumber Mart Issue the certificate?

Any Chain of Custody member of either FSC or Mtcc can issue the certificate. Since we are member, we can also issue the certificate.

How does ‘green’ timber differs from ‘non-green’ timber in terms of pricing, quality and durability?

Like I said the “green” terminology differs from one supplier to another. If you are saying specifically the price difference between FSC or MTCC certified timber as compared to non certified ones then it is possible to compare. Generally everything still boils down to supply and demand. Currently the supply of FSC or MTCC certified tropical timber is very scarce, therefore the price difference could be as high as 30 -40%. For European and American timber the price difference is in the region of 10-15%.

Besides ‘green’ timber, does the fastening material (adhesive) and varnishing are environmental friendly too?

Yes you can score another point in the GBI scheme by using a green adhesive and coating which has very low emission of Volatile Organic Compound and Formaldehyde.

Please describe some products that are currently marketed by Lumber Mart are green certified?

Our Bamboo products is FSC certified and most of the Bona products are certified green by the American based Green Guard, one of the highest standard in the world.