Newly Launched Reforest Teak® Meets Green Consumer Demands with Earth-Friendly Teak Outdoor Furniture

Burlington, VT (PRWEB) November 8, 2007 -- Much of the teak furniture (http://www.reforestteak.com/Our-Quality-and-Values_ep_47-1.html) on the market today is made from timber that has been illegally or destructively harvested in Southeast Asia. This practice is destructive to local environments, and because tropical deforestation is one of the top contributors to climate change, it increases global warming. In fact, according to Conservation International burning, deforestation and degrading tropical forests account for 20-25% of all green house gas emissions, more than twice the amount produced by all the cars and trucks in the world.

Until now, environmentally and socially conscious consumers have had few options for purchasing sustainably grown and harvested teak products. Now, thanks to newly launched Reforest Teak (http://www.reforestteak.com), buying teak will actually help reforest degraded lands in neighboring Central America. Reforestation and good forest management, especially in tropical areas, is one the most efficient ways to reduce GHG emissions that fuel climate change while also protecting biodiversity and improving living conditions and livelihoods for the world's poorest people. The Reforest Teak company not only has the mission to make top quality teak furniture but also to use any financial success to reforest Central America's deforested lands with teak and native trees and extend social benefits to the local communities, starting in democratic Costa Rica.

With over third of the country's land designated as protected national parks and conservation zones Costa Rica is already a world leader in progressive environmental policy. Costa Rica is also the first country in the world to commit to a time table (2021) to become "carbon neutral" thereby taking a firm leadership role in the effort to reverse global warming.

Based in Burlington, Vermont, Reforest Teak was launched by Will Raap (http://www.gardeners.com/Founder-s-Corner--Cultivating-a-Nation-of-Gardeners-and-Earth-Stewards/default/5567.page) and is an enterprise aiming to promote "ecological reforestation." Ecological reforestation is generally defined as "intentional activity that initiates or accelerates the recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity and sustainability." Reforest Teak plays a significant role in returning eroded land to productivity by purchasing and ecologically reforesting lands previously degraded by the cattle industry.

"We just unveiled the Reforest Teak website and have received an enthusiastic response from environmental groups and consumers," said Raap.

Raap also founded Gardener's Supply, an award-winning 25 year-old earth-friendly gardening company, as well as two non-profit initiatives, Intervale Center (http://www.intervale.org)in Vermont and El Centro Verde in Costa Rica.

"Unfortunately, the high demand for teak means most of it comes from negligent forestry practices such as 'cut and run' logging which is a major cause of forest degradation around the globe or reforestation projects that do not conform to the high international standards of the Forest Stewardship Council," continued Raap. "If tropical wood products do not come from FSC-certified forests then we will not sell them, it's as simple as that." All Reforest Teak reforestation plantations are Forest Management certified by the FSC, and all Reforest Teak products will carry FSC Chain of Custody certification.

Teak is one of the most coveted materials for use in outdoor furniture because of its durability and unique ability to withstand harsh weather conditions while maintaining its elegance. Reforest Teak's collection of outdoor teak patio and garden furniture and accessories range in style and price and some favorites include the Pacifica Folding Sling Rocker and the Monteverde bench. The Rocker defines high style and casual comfort, indoors or out, with its striking teakwood frame and hammock style sling seat made of fade and mildew resistant Texteline mesh and is priced at $145. The aesthetic character of the classic Monteverde teak garden bench is solid and stately. The seat and back are gently contoured, while broad, flat arm rests offer absolute comfort and timeless elegance in any setting.

At the company's manufacturing base in Costa Rica, local craftspeople take pride in a time honored tradition of fine woodworking, including solid teak dowel mortise and tenon joinery for lifelong stability and meticulous hand sanding for a flawless heirloom finish. The furniture selections, whether classic or contemporary in design are contoured and shaped for comfort that exceed most expectations of what's possible in hardwood furniture.

Every piece is guaranteed to be free of manufacturing flaws, material defects and faulty workmanship. The company uses the highest grade First European Quality (FEQ) teak for most of their garden furniture. In addition to using high quality teak, the company uses solid 316 marine grade stainless steel fittings and hardware to ensure optimal resistance to rust and oxidation for even the toughest marine applications and coastal weather.

Reforest Teak works jointly with Diamond Teak, a manufacturing partner and ecological reforestation leader in Costa Rica. Reforest Teak manages its established mixed species tropical hardwood plantations for eco-system renewal, as well as carbon sequestration and environmental investment opportunities. The teak used by the company comes from forests that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for their restorative forest management practices.

For more information or to purchase Reforest Teak, please visit http://www.reforestteak.com and http://www.gardeners.com (http://www.gardeners.com) or for 1-800-955-3370 for a free catalog or more information.

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