The right landscape materials can reduce energy consumption, air and water pollution and waste that ends up in a landfill. Image credit: Margo Taylor
Landscape materials can cause environmental damage even before they are installed in a garden. Harvesting and transport consume energy and generate pollution, and the problems continue even when the materials are dismantled if they are discarded in a landfill instead of reused or recycled.
Luckily, there are now many materials available that are locally produced and certified green. Read the labels, request products that are local and non-toxic and look for marks such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification on wood products.
How They Compare
| Conventional Landscape | Sustainable Landscape | What Can I Do? |
|---|---|---|
| The life cycle of materials is a linear process that begins with extraction and ends with disposal. Materials move through the cycle once and then become a waste product. | The life cycle of materials is a circular process where materials and products are reused or recycled to avoid the extraction of virgin feedstock and minimize energy and resource inputs. | Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle |
| Materials are not local and therefore do not support community businesses or the regional economy. | Materials represent the regional identity of the area and support the local economy. | Use certified woods |
| Little is known about the human health and environmental costs of the material. | When selecting materials, consideration is given to the costs of human health and environmental impacts. | Limit your use of VOC products |
It’s best to start with the old adage “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” as a rule of thumb. Think how you can downsize a landscaping project to reduce the amount of materials. The next best solution is to reuse materials already in your yard, perhaps in a new and novel way.
If you are buying new, opt for natural, untreated, least toxic, and recyclable products made locally. But even a seemingly benign material like wood raises questions: Does it come from a species threatened by the timber trade? Where was it harvested, and how much energy was required to transport it to your area?
A growing number of “certified green” products are becoming available, simplifying things for consumers. And you can promote recycling by buying products with recycled content.