Teak sustainability and ethics – Know you’re buying responsibly sourced teak garden furniture for complete peace of mind

Where does teak wood come from? 

Our plantation teak wood comes from the sustainable plantations of Perum Perhutani on the island of Java. These teak plantations are owned and managed by the government who have a strict policy regarding the age, size and number of trees felled each year, together with a comprehensive, sustainable replanting program.

Our reclaimed teak wood comes from many different sources, including old boats and houses.

Is your teak sustainably and responsibly sourced? 

All of our teak is sustainably, legally and responsibly sourced from the sustainable plantations of Perum Perhutani on the island of Java. These government-owned plantations are strictly regulated and operate a comprehensive, sustainable replanting program. The legality of the teak in our products is assured through Indonesia's national timber legality assurance system (SVLK) and FLEGT licensing scheme. FLEGT-licensed timber is considered to fully comply with the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). EUTR 995/2010 prohibit illegally harvested timber and timber-based products from being placed onto European markets.

Sustainable Plantation Teak Wood Java Perum Perhutani legal timber SVLK FLEGT

What is SVLK? 

SVLK (Sistem Verificasi Legalitas Kayu) is Indonesia’s mandatory national timber legality and sustainability certification system, also known as the Indonesian Timber Legality Assurance System (INDO-TLAS).

What is SVLK

What is FLEGT? 

FLEGT stands for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade. Timber accompanied by a FLEGT licence is accepted as legal under the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). For more information, visit the FLEGT website.

What is FLEGT

Is teak wood sustainable? 

Yes, teak wood is sustainable. The teak we use for our furniture doesn’t come from natural forests; it comes from legal, regulated government plantations. Plantation teak is a renewable resource as it’s farmed to produce a sustainable supply.

Is teak environmentally friendly? 

Here at Cyan, we use sustainable teak that is environmentally friendly. We care about the environment and that’s why we’re proud manufacturers of sustainable teak furniture. Our environmentally-sound teak wood is sourced from plantations, not natural forests where illegal logging is still an issue. Trees are planted exclusively to be utilised for commercial use, etc. and more trees are replanted in accordance with government guidelines.

The natural oils in teak make it naturally pest resistant, therefore teak can be grown without the use of insecticides and chemicals. Also, teak grows without artificial fertilizers and heavy irrigation, making it an eco-friendly choice.

Leftovers from teak production can be recycled or returned to the earth without damaging the environment.

Teak furniture is durable and built to last so you won’t be discarding and replacing every few years.

We are sustainable

Is teak endangered? 

Teak (Tectona grandis) is sustainable, renewable, and not endangered. Teak is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The government strictly regulate and operate a comprehensive, sustainable replanting program, so teak trees are planted and harvested exclusively for commercial and ecological purposes. Our teak does not come from natural forests, so you can be sure it is legal and sustainable.

What is plantation teak?

Plantation teak is teak that has been grown on sustainable plantations for the sole purpose of forestry management for either commercial or ecological uses. Plantation teak is a renewable resource as it’s farmed to produce a sustainable supply.

What is Burma teak? 

Burma teak is the name used to differentiate between natural-grown Tectona grandis trees (from Burma), and plantation teak, i.e. teak grown on plantations, usually from South and South East Asia.

Here at Cyan, we favour plantation teak from the plantations of Perum Perhutani on the island of Java because it is legal, regulated and sustainable. The teak on these plantations has been planted by man, for man, for the purpose of forestry management, and is therefore sustainable.

we do not use Burma teak

Does Cyan use certified sustainable timber?

The hardwood used on all our wooden parasols is certified sustainable.

Currently, there’s not enough certified sustainable teak wood available for our total production. However, all our teak products are made of FLEGT-licensed teak from Indonesia. The legality of the teak in our products is assured through Indonesia's national timber legality assurance system (SVLK) and FLEGT licensing scheme. FLEGT-licensed timber fully complies with the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR).

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We hope you found this article helpful. If you’d like to know more about our teak garden furniture, please see our other FAQ pages or contact us by phone or email and we’ll do our best to help.

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