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. 

Sustainability in Ecommerce: 3 Ways to Make Progress Where It Matters

By Julie Starr • May 21, 2025
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have—it's essential. That’s true across every industry, and ecommerce is no exception. But let’s be honest: building a more sustainable ecommerce business isn’t always straightforward. From packaging to supply chains to last-mile delivery, the challenges are real—and often feel like they’re outside your control. But here’s the good news: sustainable ecommerce is absolutely possible. And it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Small, strategic shifts can make a meaningful difference—not just for the planet, but for your customers and your brand’s longevity. Here are three actionable ways you can move the needle toward a more environmentally responsible ecommerce business. Choose Sustainable Packaging That Works for People and Planet Packaging is often one of the most visible and wasteful—aspects of ecommerce. From oversized boxes to plastic fillers, the impact adds up fast. But it doesn’t have to. Thoughtful, sustainable packaging design can dramatically reduce your environmental footprint. Start by right-sizing your shipments to reduce excess material and emissions. Opt for recycled, recyclable, or compostable materials that align with circular economy principles. Better yet, one option is to design custom boxes with sustainable materials, for example. These custom packaging solutions eliminate unnecessary layers while enhancing your brand’s presentation. These aren’t just more sustainable choices, they’re smarter ones. Today’s customers care about where materials come from, and where they end up. Your packaging can reflect your commitment to both. Partner with Purpose: Choose Sustainable Suppliers Your supply chain is an extension of your brand and one of the most powerful levers you have to reduce your environmental impact. You could end up using more than a few suppliers when you’re running an ecommerce company . It’s always worth making sure these are as sustainable as possible . While you may not control every aspect of your suppliers’ operations, you do control who you choose to work with. Prioritize suppliers who share your commitment to sustainability. Look for transparency in sourcing, third-party certifications, and a clear track record of environmental and ethical practices. Ask the right questions: Are their materials responsibly sourced? Do they minimize waste and emissions? How do they treat their workforce? Choosing partners who align with your values not only improves the sustainability of your products—it strengthens your brand’s integrity and resilience. When your supply chain reflects your mission, it creates trust and long-term value across your business. Lead with Impact: Promote Environmental Awareness Sustainability doesn’t stop at your supply chain. As an ecommerce business, you have a unique platform to elevate environmental causes and inspire meaningful change within and beyond your operations. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of highlighting and supporting various sustainable initiatives and causes around the world. One powerful way to do this is by supporting organizations and initiatives that align with your values. Whether it’s donating a portion of your profits, partnering with mission-driven nonprofits, or amplifying important causes across your website and social channels, your advocacy matters. By shining a light on solutions and inviting your customers to participate, you strengthen your brand’s purpose and build a community rooted in shared responsibility. This isn’t just good for the planet; it’s good for business. Sustainable ecommerce is entirely possible. With the right mindset and a few strategic shifts, your business can lead with integrity, reduce its footprint, and become part of a much-needed transformation in the digital economy.

Cutting Cost Without Cutting Corners

By Julie Starr • May 20, 2025
No one likes having to tighten their belts, especially when it comes to running a business or managing a big project, but sometimes cutting costs isn’t just a good idea - it’s actually the only way to keep things moving. The tricky part, of course, is doing it without sacrificing quality or ending up with a long list of regrets you’ll be paying for (literally in many cases) later. The thing to remember is that cost-cutting doesn’t have to mean cutting corners, and if you can be a bit creative and rethink how you usually do things, you can reduce your spending and still get great results. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more. Not only does this support your project, but it can support sustainable business initiatives as well. You Don’t Have To Buy Everything One of the most common ways money disappears in business is buying things you don’t need to buy. If you’re in the trade or construction field, you already know how expensive equipment can be, especially when it’s only needed on occasion, which is why it’s crucial to get out of the idea of having to buy everything - there are other ways. Rather than buying every tool, machine, or device upfront, it’s worth thinking about short-term options instead, and that way you don’t have to commit thousands to something you’ll only use once or twice a year. Instead, renting can help bridge the gap between affordability and getting good results, and you’ll still have access to the tools you need. For example, if you’ve got a job coming up that needs specific welding gear but you don’t use it regularly, you’re better off exploring welding equipment rental rather than buying it. You’ll get high-quality, up-to-date equipment, but you avoid the ongoing expense of maintenance, storage, or even depreciation. And when the job is complete, it just goes back with no wasted budget or clutter. Aim For Better Planning Another area where money leaks is in poor planning . The fact is that scheduling and communication are basically very often the difference between staying under budget and going over budget. Over-ordering materials, miscommunication between suppliers, last-minute bookings, and so on all has an impact and the ability to add up and cost significantly more. Spending a bit more upfront in the planning process can save considerable amount of funds later, which is why it’s worth planning projects in phases, double-checking inventory before you place any new orders, and staying as realistic as possible about delivery times. In doing so, you’re not just avoiding waste, you’re keeping the entire project on track, and that’s going to give you much better results and success in the future. Use Tech In Useful Ways We’ve all seen the impressive new software packages with prices to match, but tech doesn’t have to be expensive to work well, and in fact, using a few smart digital tools can save hours of time and lots of paperwork, especially if you’re managing a team or you’ve got multiple projects to juggle all at once. Free or low-cost apps for time tracking, job scheduling, or being able to share communication can help you avoid missed communications and reduce admin hours. And of course, spreadsheets can still work if you like using them, but adding a digital tool to the mix could be just what you need to reduce confusion, mistakes, and having to repeat work. Invest Where It Counts Saving money doesn’t mean always choosing the least expensive option or not buying something when you really do need it. Sometimes, saving money just means choosing the best value item over time, and factoring in sustainable concepts taht support the project and business case. Be mindful and invest in the right things. You’ll want to fund equipment and purchases that support safety and the items that your team use every day that support the business. Cutting corners on essentials might save you money at the start, but it usually just creates more problems later on, and it’s just not worth the risk. Invest wisely.