3 Ways You Can Make Your Woodwork Projects More Eco-friendly

Julie Starr • September 13, 2021



Woodworking has been around for years and is a great hobby to build new skills while creating beautiful designs. Woodworking involves lots of materials and tools, which, unfortunately, can lead to lots of waste and energy. 

If you are trying to make a conscious effort to be more sustainable in your day-to-day life, then it is important to look at how your hobby, whether it’s new to you or you are a well-seasoned woodworker, affects the environment.

Here are 3 ways you can make your woodwork projects more eco-friendly. 

#1 Materials 

How you use, store and dispose of your materials is just as important as what materials you use for your woodwork projects. When starting a new woodworking project, make sure you plan what you are going to do. This will enable you to buy the correct amount of materials and reduce waste right from the start. When purchasing your materials, source local businesses for your wood, for example, from leftover builds, local lumber mills, or farms. 

Materials that you will not use right away need to be stored properly, to ensure they do not spoil and therefore, are unusable. Conduct thorough research on the materials that you are using and ensure you have the correct environment set up before you start. For example, some may need to be stored in certain temperatures, away from any moisture, or even in air-tight containers. 

When you have finished a project and find you have materials left over, there are several ways to dispose of this in a more eco-friendly way:

  • See if you can re-use it in a future project 
  • Put the word out to your local community to see if it can be used in a local project or by another woodworker 
  • Remove any chemicals or paint coatings and turn them into chippings and use as compost, keep it dry and save it for your next cookout, or hand it over to a recycling company. 

#2 Tools 

Tools play an important role in your woodworking project. Not only will it impact the efficiency of your work, but also the waste and your energy consumption. 

Spending money to fully stock your woodshop might look good, but is not good if you will not be using them. You should only purchase the tools that you need. There are a range of different things to look out for, for example, new and recent tools that will enable you to work more efficiently, such as the 2021 best spiral cutterhead jointer , alternatively, you could pool together with local woodworkers and swap and share your tools. 

#3 Chemicals 

Many of the chemicals that are used in woodwork projects can be harmful to humans, as well as the environment. By switching to eco-friendly alternatives, such as water-based paints or wood stains, you can keep yourself, and the environment safe while practicing more sustainable woodwork and disposal. 

Making just a few simple changes to the way you purchase and dispose of wood, choosing your tools carefully, and switching out toxic chemicals, can do wonders for the environment without having to inconvenience you too much. 

Why Telling Your Sustainability Story Matters — And How Taiga Company Can Help

By Julie Starr • December 17, 2024
In today’s world, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Consumers, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency and accountability from brands. They don’t just want to know what you sell; they want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how your work contributes to a better world. That’s where your sustainability story comes in. Sharing your achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and inspiring action. At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping organizations authentically communicate their sustainability achievements in ways that drive measurable impact and align with their goals. Why Sharing Your Sustainability Achievements Is Good for Business Build Trust with Stakeholders Sustainability storytelling builds credibility and trust. Whether you’re addressing investors, employees, or customers, sharing your sustainability milestones demonstrates your commitment to accountability and long-term value creation. For example: Highlight your efforts in achieving science-based targets, reducing carbon emissions, or adopting circular economy practices. These stories resonate with audiences looking for businesses that align with their values. Differentiate Your Brand In a competitive marketplace, sustainability can set you apart. Brands that communicate their achievements in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, or biodiversity conservation position themselves as industry leaders and innovators. Think of it this way: A well-told sustainability story is not just a report—it’s a statement of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Drive Stakeholder Engagement Sustainability stories invite dialogue. By showcasing meaningful milestones, like successful recycling initiatives or community reforestation projects, you foster stronger relationships with stakeholders who want to be part of your mission. Engagement isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about inspiring action. Whether through social media campaigns, press releases, or executive thought leadership, your achievements can encourage others to collaborate and support your goals. Attract Purpose-Driven Talent and Customers Today’s workforce and consumers seek brands with purpose. Communicating your impact helps attract talent and customers who align with your mission. A transparent, well-executed sustainability strategy speaks volumes about your leadership and values. At Taiga Company, we specialize in results-driven communications that empower purpose-led brands to share their sustainability achievements with confidence and clarity. Our services ensure your story resonates with the audiences that matter most. Your sustainability achievements deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, innovating in sustainable packaging, or leading water stewardship initiatives, telling your story is an opportunity to inspire trust, drive action, and shape a better future.

Why Going Green Is No Longer Optional for Industry Leaders

By Julie Starr • December 16, 2024
Alright, so here’s the deal, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Sure, at this most most industries, yes, even the most unsustainable industries have this general idea, right? Well, you’re always going to find some businesses in some niches (and yes, industries too) who think that it doesn’t apply to them. But no, it applies to all niches and all industries, and yes, it’s a business requirement. Now, across every industry, the companies that are embracing green practices are the ones that are thriving. Why? Well, because customers, investors, and employees are all paying attention. If a business isn’t making an effort to be sustainable, it’s not just falling behind, it’s losing out. Overall, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about saving your business. Yes, this needs to be hammered in, so industry leaders, here’s why you’re just not excused. Green Practices Mean Growth Yep, it’s that plain and simple, So, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. Businesses that prioritize green practices are cutting costs, staying competitive, and building trust with their audiences. So, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, and sourcing materials ethically aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for the bottom line. Simple enough, right? Well, take packaging, for example. Cutting down on unnecessary plastics doesn’t just make customers happy; it slashes production and disposal costs. So, switching to energy-efficient operations isn’t just environmentally friendly, rather, it saves a fortune on utilities. There don’t need to be roadblocks seen, rather they should be opportunities! There’s Plenty to Gain Okay, so sustainability isn’t just for industries with obvious environmental impact, it’s critical in healthcare too. Again, no excuses here. Hospitals and clinics use massive amounts of energy, and the waste from single-use supplies piles up fast. The same can be said for labs, and pharmacies too. Actually, go ahead and take specialty drugs as an example. Now, most people know that these life-changing treatments are for serious conditions, but they often come with sky-high costs. But why? Well, the production and distribution processes can be incredibly resource-heavy. But even sustainable practices can help lower prices, such as energy-efficient manufacturing or even cutting down on excess packaging. It might be hard to see, but little changes can make massive impacts on costs (and what’s being spent on both ends). Tech Easily Shows How Sustainability Drives Innovation The tech industry has been leading the charge when it comes to sustainability, and the results speak for themselves. Actually, companies like Google and Apple are proving that being green isn’t just possible, but this can actually be pretty profitable! If tech companies can do this, then yeah, all industries are capable. So above, medicine was mentioned, but data centers are also a great example ( since they use a lot of energy). Well, nowadays, most companies are now powering these centers with renewable energy, cutting costs and emissions at the same time. No Industry Gets a Free Pass It doesn’t matter if it’s healthcare, tech, retail, or manufacturing, basically, every industry has something to gain by going green. There are small examples like retailers ditching plastic bags for reusable ones. Then there are bigger examples like factories rethinking supply chains to cut emissions and save costs. But the reality is that businesses sticking to wasteful, outdated practices are falling behind. Besides, governments are rolling out stricter regulations.
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