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Turning trash into treasures: a Seattle company is helping others earn LEED credits by recycling wood waste into custom furniture and architectural millwork.

Article Excerpt
Seattle's Urban Hardwoods transforms unwanted trees from trash into custom tables and other treasures.

The company collects hardwood trees from residential removals, street sides and parks, then mills them into slabs that eventually will become furniture for residential and commercial projects.

These products also can help larger commercial projects stay "green," which is especially important in an area like Seattle, where the city government is mandating LEED certification for its projects.

In one instance, Urban Hardwoods' flooring and a wail system contributed to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification for a new commercial building. Likewise, a conference table, credenza and other furniture made from reclaimed lumber helped in obtaining LEED credits when it came to rebuilding the University of Washington's Center for Urban Horticulture.

In addition to the environmental benefits, the natural characteristics found in the reclaimed lumber give Urban Hardwoods' products character and add to the furnitures' aesthetic appeal, says company founder Jim Newsom.

"A lot of our furniture is built in 'response' to the wood itself, and these checks and cracks can add to the natural beauty of the finished piece," Newsom says.

"Urban trees are an unbelievable resource that have yet...