When a new baby is on the way, it is easy to succumb to all of the adorable products and furnishings that are marketed as baby care essentials. But what do you really need? And how do you choose products that are safe for your baby and for the environment? Conventionally produced furniture causes a shocking amount of chemical pollution, old-growth forest depletion, and waste. The glues, stains, and finishes used to make most items of furniture are chock full of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that off-gas into your home. Children in particular (because of their developing immune systems) are especially susceptible to VOCs. The wood that is used to create furniture often comes from poorly managed forests. Not to mention the fact that all of these large pieces of furniture need somewhere to go when they die.

Fortunately, eco-furniture is becoming as common as your average recliner, as most of the major furniture manufacturers are changing the way they design and produce their collections. Powder-based finishing coats, which not only are VOC-free, but require less energy and create less waste, can now be used in place of paint. Furniture giants, such as Hermann Miller and Knoll, are using FSC-certified sustainable wood and recycled-content in some of their pieces. And furniture makers are looking past the showroom floor and designing furniture that can be easily disassembled for repair or recycling. That means that we as consumers won't have to give up function or style to go green. Here's what you need to know to green your baby's nursery.

Don't Go Overboard

Contrary to the marketing hype, you do not need all of the baby furniture that comes in most sets. Talk to your friends and family about which items they found most useful, and skip the rest.

Buy Vintage

The next time you are looking for new furniture, consider buying a vintage or pre-loved piece. Pre-loved furniture does not require the use of additional resources, and it lightens the load on landfills. In addition, furniture that has been around awhile has probably finished off-gassing, keeping those nasty VOCs out of your home.

Buy It to Last

If you purchase an item that is flimsy to begin with, it probably won't last long in a house filled with kids. Invest in durable furniture that will save you money over the long run in replacement costs.

Along those same lines, look for items that will grow with your child, such as cribs that convert to toddler beds or changing tables that become dressers. These items will save you a fortune in the long run and keep your old stuff from ending up in a landfill.

No VOCs

Did you ever notice how a new piece of furniture stinks when you first bring it home? That stink is the gases seeping out of the furniture's glues, paints, and finishes, and it is loaded with chemicals that you really don't want to breathe, like VOCs and formaldehyde. Babies, with their fragile and developing immune systems, are especially susceptible to the potential health risks associated with VOCs. Keep these toxins out of the air and out of your home by selecting furniture that uses water-based adhesives and natural treatments.

Buy a Green Crib

If you can get a secondhand crib from a reliable source that meets all of today's safety requirements, you have hit the jackpot! You will save money and the environment. But if you do need to purchase a new crib, be very selective. Cheap furniture, while tempting for the budget, typically contains formaldehyde and high-VOC particle board. Steer clear of products that carry the warning “known to the state of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity,” as they likely contain these toxins. If your budget allows, look for a crib that uses FSC-certified wood.

Check out Lifekind (www.lifekind.com), Ikea (www.ikea.com), and Sage Baby (www.sagebabynyc.com) for nontoxic cribs and baby furniture.

Pass It On

Don't send your furniture off to the landfill graveyard. Even if it is broken, you will likely be able to find someone who will be glad to take it off of your hands (and even pay you for it) at a yard sale or at sites such as Craigslist (www.craiglist.org) or eBay (www.ebay.com). If those options don't work, try giving it away for free at your local thrift store or on Freecycle (www.freecycle.org). Last resort: Stick it in your front yard with a FREE sign on it.