Demystifying Sustainability

Sustainability can feel like an overwhelming and complex topic, particularly in the context of building, design and the outdoors. There are questions you can ask to guide you towards better choices

- STEFANIE TITUS

Where does this material come from, and how will my choice help my local environment? 

Materials all have different criteria; its origin, how it is processed, packaged, transported and the end use could be regarded as a series of points counting towards a rating that will determine whether it is truly green or simply green washed. It is never as straightforward as it seems, and to truly do better, we have to think critically and look at all the puzzle pieces of a much bigger picture.

Asking where a material comes from is the first step towards understanding whether it's a viable, gentler choice. A great example is pine; while praised for its versatility, pine is considered a cheap material not fit for a luxurious space but this is a limited way to think considering the many ways pine can be processed, treated and finished for end use.

In South Africa, pine species are largely invasive and interrupt the healthy biodiversity meant to grow and thrive in our local soil. What we essentially want to do is support and buy up local pine (and other invasive species) to stimulate healthy control of these species.