We are often surprised that some architects, designers and specifiers are not aware of the environmental benefits of working with wood, more so, timber veneer. It’s easy to be discouraged by the images and rhetoric that sometimes accompany the logging of trees, but the reality is timber is a renewable resource and logging practices have come a long way in recent decades in order to protect native forests and the flora, fauna and communities who live and rely upon them.
When scrolling through a recent timber publication we noticed our friends at the Timber Veneer Association of Australia (TVAA), of which Matilda Veneer is a member, had given their input on this very issue. So this month, we refer to the TVAA for their position on the matter. Thanks to the TVAA for their ongoing support and assistance.
Specifiers and timber users concerned about climate change can do their bit to help by including timber veneers in their projects.
Surveys have shown that many Australians don’t realise that using wood (as apposed to other materials) is good for the environment. Using timber veneer and wood products is naturally better because they help with climate change in two very important ways.
Firstly, growing trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store the carbon so efficiently that about half the dry weight of a tree is carbon. This carbon remains ‘locked up’ for the whole life of timber building products or furniture. It is released into the atmosphere again only when the wood decays or is burnt. Recent research shows that more than 95 per cent of the carbon in wood remains stored even after up to 30 years in a landfill.
Secondly, the forest and wood products industry, is one of the most greenhouse-friendly sectors of the Australian economy. In fact, it is the only industry sector in Australia that stores more carbon dioxide than it releases into the atmosphere. Thus, increased use of timber veneer and wood products assists Australia in offsetting its overall green-house gas emissions.
For these reasons, timber veneer and other wood products are amongst the most sustainable and environmentally sound materials on the planet. An easy way to combat climate change – use more timber veneer and wood!
Add to this the fact that each cubic metre of log produces around 1,000 square metres of veneer and you have the ideal material to fight climate change.
Matilda Veneer is a proud member of the Timber Veneer Association of Australia with Matilda’s own Anthony Wardrop acting as the Association’s vice-president in 2018 and 2019.
Matilda Veneer is proudly certified under both the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC® (FSC-C107681) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) chain of custody and due diligence systems.
