Re-using or recycling old furniture is the first "R" of environmentally sound shopping. Environmentalists want us to take eco-friendly furniture to the next step. Ask about the furniture's pedigree, to make sure you're not adding to the problem .

Cabinet Maker Dave Berthiaume explained that "the plywood is where the concern is, the particle board, chip board, that kind of thing- low levels of formaldehyde are an issue." Ask how the furniture was made and where it came from and consider the processes in the manufacturing phase.

Raw materials are the second "R". For instance, tanning and dying leather typically requires hazardous chemicals. And, the cushions we sit on are mostly made from petroleum based foam. Bob Hand a furniture talked about recycled materials being used to make some elements of furniture like plastic bottles. "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," Hand explained to our crew.

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 move 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 is also considered eco-friendly. Also reupholstering instead of trashing furniture saves space in landfills