How sustainable are wooden worktops
Last Updated on December 14, 2022
Here at House of Worktops, we pride ourselves on producing the most sustainable wooden worktops for our customers. Wood is always going to be one of the most sustainable options for your kitchen worktop anyway, especially when compared with other surfaces such as plastic laminates.
The beauty of using wood is that there is very little waste in the whole production process, and what waste there is can usually be repurposed. Plus, when you cut down a tree for a worktop, you can just plant another one to replace it – and that is exactly what we do, in our own forests in the Balkans.
If you want the most sustainable wood choice of all, then go for something quick-growing like pine rather than the slower-growing oak, as it is faster to replace the former and get another tree again quickly, increasing turnaround speed.
Introducing new legal measures
The EU has introduced legal measures that determine a minimum number of trees you need to plant when you cut down an existing mature specimen, as well as limiting the amount of harvesting that is allowed in each area.
Wood naturally absorbs CO2 when it is growing, thereby cleaning the air around it. And forest stewards manage the area to ensure there is no damage to the surrounding ecosystems and provide a safe haven for wildlife – all of which are important factors in the future of our planet.
Untreated hardwoods – certified by the Forest Stewardship Council – are the best, and most sustainable, options for kitchen worktops as they have the fewest VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions. These VOCs are found in most chemical cleaners and paints, and can even pollute the air in your kitchen for many years after the worktops are fitted.
Standing the test of time
If looked after properly, wooden worktops also last a long time in your kitchen. Because it is such a hard and durable material, it withstands the rigours of family life and can even look better as it ages. So, you won’t need to replace it for many years, increasing its long-term sustainability factor. Then, when you are ready to get rid of it, it can easily be recycled or turned into wood chippings for the garden.
Solid wooden worktops can be cut to fit your kitchen with ease, as well as being relatively simple to fit, and can include holes designed for kitchen sinks or hobs. Again, any of these offcuts can then be re-used to make other beautiful items, or pulped and repurposed. In fact, we pride ourselves on having a 0% waste policy for our worktops.
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, be it using green energy in our warehouse and showroom, or in the end-to-end delivery service we offer. If sustainability matters to you too, check out our selection of solid wooden worktops, safe in the knowledge that our values match yours.