Green design can be like drenching ranch dressing on a healthy salad.

What is Green design to you?... Just because there is a "green" label on a product, does that make it eco friendly? The term "green" has been a boom among all products over the years. Whether it's a piece of furniture or cleaning supplies.. everything seems to be green.. but is it really good for you? So this is where my thought began... One day, I was researching flooring for one of my clients, and just like everyone else I was really into green design, so my first choice was bamboo flooring... its green, its durable, and about the same price... GREAT! Why not! Then I started talking to the installers and they were going through the methods of flooring... Then I asked them what adhesive they were using... then they mentioned a method which included formaldehyde, and VOC (volatile organic compounds).. dun dun duun... Basically, they are toxic chemicals which have significant vapour pressures which affects the environment and human health, mostly in adhesives or paints, and release harmful chemicals into the air. Then I thought... What is a point of that??? It's like going out to lunch, ordering a healthy salad...then drenching ranch dressing all over it... What's the point when it's done wrong?

YBD Guide to Green Design:

Always think how is it made? and what happens after I'm done with it?

1) Where does it come from?

2) How is is made?

3) How is it transported?

4) How is it assembled?

5) How is it disposed?

6) Is it recyclable?