Greenies will argue that it's best not to light the fireplace at all. But for those who can't resist, manufactured logs have evolved. Some use recycled materials, are petroleum-free and, compared with firewood, emit less carbon monoxide and particulates and leave fewer creosote deposits. The three fire logs below base their green credentials on third-party reviews.
Java-Log
Contents: Spent coffee grounds and vegetable wax.
Burn time: 2 to 3 hours.
Price: $3.49 for a 5-pound all-natural log; made in Canada.
Manufacturer's claim: 70% to 80% fewer emissions than burning wood; no chemical smell and little smoke; saves more than 20 million pounds of coffee waste a year from being dumped in landfills.
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Pine Mountain
Contents: The "all-natural" version is made up of recycled wood sawdust; wax from soybean, palm and pine tree oils; ground tree nut shells; and a bit of molasses for coloring.
Burn time: 2 to 3 hours.
Price: $3.29 for a 5-pound log; made in Canada.
Manufacturer's claim: 76% less particulate matter going up the chimney; 85% less carbon monoxide; 66% less creosote accumulation per hour of fire; 80% less ash residue; no chemical smell.
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Duraflame
Contents: The bio-wax log contains a blend of natural waxes and oils derived from organic material with recycled wood sawdust and nut shells.
Burn time: 3 to 4 hours.
Price: $2 to $3 for a 5-pound log; made in the U.S. and Canada.
Manufacturer's claim: Uses 80% fewer resources than burning wood (company says no tree has been cut down to make its fire logs); burns cleaner: 80% less fine particles, 75% less carbon monoxide; 90% less hazardous air pollutants.
-- Nancy Yoshihara
