For many people, sustainability is one of the top factors they consider when purchasing furniture, but its definition can vary from one furniture maker to the next. In general, sustainable furniture refers to any furniture made in a way that consciously preserves natural resources.
What is Mango Wood?
Mango wood is a hardy, dense wood that does best in climates with some humidity. There are many varieties of mango trees, and the color and pattern of the wood depends on the specific type of mango tree used in production. Not only is mango wood attractive and affordable, but it’s also sustainably made, which adds to its popularity.
How Mango Wood is Sustainably Produced
To help you better understand what you’re getting when you purchase mango wood furniture, here’s a rundown of its sustainable production:
- On mango plantations, the trees are not grown solely to be turned into furniture. They produce fruit for many years – often for decades. Only when they are too old to produce a harvestable amount of fruit are they cut down for furniture production.
- For farmers, an empty spot in the plantation means lost income. That’s why almost every mango tree that’s cut down for furniture production is then replaced with another mango tree.
- The felled trees are sold and used for making mango furniture and other goods. This cuts down on waste and provides additional income for mango farmers and their communities.
- Re-purposing mango wood also reduces carbon emissions, because the felled trees are no longer being left to rot and rotting wood produces carbon dioxide.