There are many options today for sustainable and environmentally friendly outdoor furniture, and it’s great wether you worry about the carbon footprint you are leaving on Earth or not. There are many new companies who are getting on an eco-bandwagon, and a few of the more seasoned ones are joining in as well.

For years, teak has been one of the most popular higher end woods for outdoor furniture. It will last for years while weathering into a beautiful color. Sadly, many of the teak forests in Southeast Asia have been all but depleted. Manufacturers are now addressing new means and ways of using teak. One design and manufacturing company headquarters in Costa Rica and uses only teak from sustainable forests. They give a portion of their profits back toward reforestation. Now days, owning a new teak dining set or sofa isn’t going to wreck the eco-system but the prices have go up in order to do it.  Several outdoor furniture manufacturers have joined an organization called 1% For The Planet. Corporations banded together to pledge a 1% portion of their sales to environmental conservation. You’ll notice the affiliation logo while shopping on many of their sites.

Other companies are designing chairs, tables and other outdoor items that are made with recycled plastics. These items are not your typical big box plastic chairs either.  They are highly stylized and comfortable additions to the market. Recycled plastic managed to produce the ever popular polar fleece, and now it will be ultra popular outdoor furniture! It also withstands winter weather, which means it does have to be taken indoors for storage. The maintenance is low and chairs and tables stay looking great. Recycled wrought iron is also becoming a popular new look. You’ll find hammocks made of recycled soda bottles and contemporary chairs made up of old staves from wine barrels. It’s a hammock just as comfortable as the old rope ones too.

Recycled rubber products and ones made of polywood are both options as well. Much like plywood in nature, polywood is more durable and certainly nicer to look at too. The efforts by manufacturers to work harder for a better environment are becoming bigger and better. Todays’ more environmentally furniture will surprise you with its style and durability for your decorating. It is no longer rustic, and hand hewn looking in the least!

Gabriel Meriwether is a writer for BrooksidePatioFurniture.com.  They offer balcony furniture, a beautiful wicker patio set collection, and an outdoor loveseat set.