"Going green" used to be fodder for late night television jokes, but no longer. Sharing in the values of the green movement means much more than eating sprouts and apples grown without bug spray. It is an indisputable fact that our living environment plays host to everyday toxins that exist because of manufacturing methods, materials production and chemicals present in nearly everything from preservatives to food supplements. Shopping at a Canadian furniture store selling responsibly produced home furnishings is one way to combat the spread of common pollutants.

Many core values of those who choose to live in a chemical-free environment are not simply based on an updated hippie philosophy, but are actually a product of sustainable thinking and economics. Canada is often overshadowed politically by its neighbor to the south, but not in the area of environmental awareness and improvement.

What exactly is organic furniture? Organic furniture construction doesn't mean that a table or chair was necessarily made on a farm somewhere. The term organic in this instance refers to air quality. Most furnishings are made with a mixture of natural and chemical materials. When new, most goods are subject to a process called "off-gassing", which means they are emitting fumes instilled during construction, and such fumes may accumulate over time, and can reach measurably harmful levels.

People are exposed to these toxins simply by breathing the air in the same room. This is of special concern when infants and children are involved, because they are more sensitive to indoor air pollutants. The kinds of pieces actually created from these artificial "woods" are generally of lower price and quality, and need replacing more often. While not necessarily the worst indoor polluters, frequent replacement also means more pollution.

Another reason to buy organic when it comes to Canadian furniture is outdoor environmental degradation. The composite materials used in much inexpensive self-assembled furniture are not capable of being restored in the same sense as traditional furniture, and such pieces get replaced rather than fixed. Much of this artificial wood is created in Asia and shipped to the rest of the world, which adds to overall carbon pollution rather than reducing it.

Solid wood furniture that is produced regionally has none of the toxic formaldehyde common to composite furniture. Contained in the glue often used in such pieces, formaldehyde is an irritant that has been linked to many breathing problems, including asthma. Interestingly, some countries that manufacture this furniture, such as China, also ban it at home, because of the chemicals involved. Yet it continues to be exported to North America.

Other environmentally friendly furniture products include mattresses, which normally contain many chemicals used as fire retardants. The use of wool in mattress manufacture instead of polyurethane foam reduces the need for strong chemical fire retardants, and those labeled as organic often contain only wood, metal and natural latex components. Other materials used in cushions include soybean fibers, untreated cotton, and hemp fibers.

There are several reputable Canadian furniture store outlets that now feature organic products. Search the internet for organic furniture in Canada, and you will come up with a list of retailers from coast to coast. Remember that costs may be somewhat higher than prefabricated furniture because these products are not mass-produced. Most of these products are still hand-crafted and assembled, and chemical-free. Going green with Canadian furniture can provide your family with a unique piece that will last for years, and may be recycled and enjoyed by generations to come.