Why Go Green?

So, what is “green”?

In recent years, “green” has come to represent ecological responsibility and—in the business world—consciousness with regard to a product’s relationship to the natural world. The terms “sustainable,” “environmentally friendly,” and “eco-friendly” are all commonly interchangeable with “green.”

Some retailers have abused the recent upswing in popularity of the “green movement” and the term “green” by labeling products “green” that aren’t particularly sustainable or environmentally friendly.

At Canopy, we ensure that our customers have access to the greenest, most innovative and attractive home design products available. We don’t settle for anything less than the best. And, we don’t take a manufacturer’s claim by itself as proof that its company’s products are green. We choose the products we carry based on data from independent organizations and thorough research into each company’s product line.

What we’re talking about when we’re talking about “green”?

Energy

Energy-consciousness requires an awareness of both how much energy is required to produce a product and to bring it into your home and how much energy it requires in use. We take all of these factors into account when choosing the products we offer to you. All of our products comply with one of the Environmental Protection Agency’s two designations for “green”? home products: EnergyStar for sustainable electricity use and WasterSense for sustainable water use.

Air Quality

Air quality is the green attribute that is often least understood by the consumer, yet it should be an area of primary concern. Traditional interior finishing products are rife with VOCs— volatile organic compounds—chemicals that can outgas from a variety of products including paint, stains, adhesives, paint strippers, and sealants such as those used to coat typical pre-finished wood flooring. VOCs are effectively indoor air pollutants that can have both short- and long-term adverse health effects which may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later. According to the EPA, concentrations of many VOCs are consistently two to five (and up to ten) times higher indoors than outdoors; and during and for several hours immediately after certain activities, such as paint stripping, levels may be 1,000 times background outdoor levels. For your health and the health of your family, guests, and clientele, all of our products contain no or very limited amounts of VOCs. We rely on information from outside organizations such as Greenguard or Scientific Certification Systems to ensure that this is the case.

Sustainability

“Sustainability” in an ecological context refers to the sustainable use of the earth’s resources—or, in other words, the use of these natural resources at or below a rate at which nature can replenish them. All of Canopy’s products are selected with sustainable resource use in mind. When choose products and materials that incorporate rapidly renewable or recycled content. We select durable, high-quality products with long life spans that do not tax the earth’s resources by requiring quick replacement. A truly sustainable product is also recyclable at the end of its life; we carry as many recyclable products at Canopy as we can find and bring to you.

Want more information about a specific product or certification?

Call or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it us—or, better yet—stop by our showroom to learn more about our products in person! Or, view an individual product manufacturer or a certifying body’s website.