Re-using or recycling old furniture is the first "r" of environmentally sound shopping.

“Another positive to this table is that it’s not covered in any type of plastic or new man made material,” antique mall owner, Angie Hummer says.

Finding a new life for grandma's hand me down rocker or table is less stressful on the environment.

Reupholstering instead of trashing furniture saves space in landfills.

“The plywood is where the concern is, the particle board, chip board, that kind of thing- low levels of formaldehyde are an issue,” cabinet maker, Dave Berthiaume says.

But environmentalists want us to take eco-friendly furniture a step further. They want us to ask how the furniture was made and where it came from.

“As far as talking with each and every one of the 60 plus manufacturers that we carry in our store, I don’t sit there and say, ‘Where does this wood come from that you’re using?’, furniture dealer, Bob Hand says.

So why should you ask? Forests are disappearing at an alarming rate.

To make sure you’re not adding to the problem ask for your furniture’s pedigree. Make sure it’s certified from a renewable source like a wood plantation.

Raw materials are the second r. We should consider how they were processed in the manufacturing phase. For instance, tanning and dying leather typically requires hazardous chemicals. And, the cushions we sit on are mostly made from petroleum based foam.

“They do take plastic bottles and almost make it look like a real thin spaghetti type material and then they just net it. They put it in, package it in; it creates some type of supportive structure for the seat. But as far as the longevity of that I have no knowledge because it’s such a new technology in the furniture business,” Hand adds.

But the last of the three "r's" might be the most important. Since it’s what currently drives the furniture market.

Is the furniture right for you? Is it the right price? Does it provide the right degree of comfort?

If the mover were to be made toward the green products it would be more expensive for everybody and I think that’s probably why there isn’t that choice now or that push,” Berthiaume says.

Finally, when buying green furniture here are some good things to remember.

Stick to iron and stainless steel frames. Bypass the leather for natural fibers and let your furniture dealer know "green" is your favorite color in more ways than one.

Tropical style furniture made from wicker and rattan is also considered eco-friendly. Reclaimed lumber from old barns, bridges, and doors is also growing in popularity.