That's an interesting story. I never thought of school furniture as being harmful to the environment. Aren't trees a renewable resource? The tentacles of this movement are so numerous, it's hard to know where to begin to keep track of it.
My vendor manufactures in solid oak which is a renewable source. Many designers/buyers are not educated on the fact that oak is a renewable source. Makes it hard to compete with every new fad they (the greenies) fall in love with. The newest is bamboo or plyboo.
The other problem is the catalyzed lacquer finish which is pretty indestructable (something you need in this environment). They claim it lets off unhealthy gases into the environment. I asked if there were any studies done on this, but have not been referred to any.
This is a whole new industry. They have also successfully gone after the hotel/hospitality market. Organisations such as this: http://www.greenhotels.com/ are cropping up. You won't be able to do business unless you are an approved 'green' vendor of one of these groups.