Out of the Woods and Into the Fire: Eco-Friendly Firelogs

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By Sarojni Mehta-Lissak

Many people love having fires during cold or stormy weather. But some of us live in cities and prefer not to traipse outside our cozy homes to gather wood to stoke the flames. We prefer instead to use pressed logs, which are convenient, easy to use and relatively inexpensive. The great news is that pressed firelogs are now being made from recycled coffee grounds, soy wax and wood industry by-products, making them a great choice for people who are concerned about the environment.

So what exactly are eco-friendly firelogs and what benefits do they offer to their users? First and foremost, these fire makers truly close the recycling loop. Commercial by-products — whether from restaurant kitchens or mill factories — were once destined for landfills. Yet these previous “throw-aways” have now ingeniously been put to good use for consumers’ needs in the form of firelogs that burn bright, offer an alternative to chopped wood and can warm a room with a green stamp of approval. The new firelogs also put less demand on natural resources because they are made with renewable materials, such as plant waxes and nutshells.

Eco-Friendly Firelogs

No fresh cut trees used
Reduced biomass disposal problem
Lower emissions into the air
Less carbon dioxide
No fossil fuel fillers
Less smoke, soot and ash
Less sparking
Recycled or renewable packaging
Easy to light

The three companies below have reached beyond petrochemicals and precious forests to manufacture firelogs that not only create great heat, but also less impact on the environment. It is with a good conscience that you can sit by a fire on a cold evening watching the flames work their magic — while hearth and home glow with a golden ambiance.

Java-Logs

Who would think that coffee grounds could be bound together with natural waxes and made into firelogs that would burn for up to three hours providing warm and cozy pleasure? Well, that’s exactly what Java-Logs has done. In an effort to re-use the leftover grounds from his own coffee maker, inventor Rod Sprules found a way to utilize these coffee castings in an efficient and earth-friendly way. His home experiment, which started with prototypes in a loaf pan, led him to develop what’s now known as the Java-Log, a firelog that truly takes recycling to new heights.

In addition to using spent grounds from restaurants to manufacture its logs, the company also makes its packaging with 100% recycled materials. Here’s an impressive statistic that will keep you going back for another cup of Joe: Java-Log company diverts 42 million kilograms of coffee waste each year from landfills. With that bit of knowledge, let there be no guilt the next time you order up your favorite dark brew. The bonus: “a soothing, crackling sound lets you relax.”

Pick up Java-Logs at your local supermarket or health food store, or buy them at Java-Logs.

Goodwood all-wood firelogs

Summit Views’ commitment to a clean environment burns strongly with their goodwood firelogs, made from wood chips and sawdust collected from mills and woodland clean-up operations (to protect the old-growth forests). This product diverts waste from landfills.

Summit Views describes their logs as being made of “densified” wood, a type of compression procedure that binds the wood byproducts with naturally occurring resins. There are no petrochemicals or fillers in their products. They also sell “ready-to-light” fire bags filled with goodwood logs, which are wrapped in jute — another renewable resource. Typical burn time? One and one-half to three hours. The bonus: “the ambiance of a natural wood fire with 50 percent fewer emissions.”

You can find goodwood firelogs in high-end supermarkets on the West Coast and in the Northeast, or purchase them online at Summit Views.

Duraflame

Probably one of the most familiar brands on the market, Duraflame has long been the standard for those who enjoy the ease of using firelogs. But Duraflame has recently broken into the natural living market with its eco-friendly version called the All-Natural Firelog, made of 100 percent renewable materials.

According to the company, this firelog produces less particulate matter than regular firewood because it is made with recycled biomass (sawdust, recycled cardboard, ground nutshells) and plant waxes and oils. Burn time for the 5-pound log is about three hours. The bonus: “superior performance and consistent fire experience.”

Purchase these logs at many chain and independent grocery stores such as Target and Orchard Supply Hardware or online at Duraflame.

Firelog safety

Place logs toward back of fireplace or on a grate.
Do not use tongs or pokers (because the firelog can break apart).
Keep area properly ventilated.
Burn time will vary depending on air flow.
Remove ash after fires.

© Sarojni Mehta-Lissak

Sarojni Mehta-Lissak is a freelance writer specializing in parenting, adoption, “green” lifestyles, women’s issues and cooking. Her work has appeared in Midwifery Today, Moondance.org, Mothering, BackHome, MotherVerse, Awakened Woman and others. Sarojni has a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with a concentration in human development and was an English as a Second Language instructor for more than 20 years. She also holds a license in skin care therapy. Sarojni lives with her family in Long Beach, California. See her web site at SarojniMehta-Lissak.com.