New container production so far in 2013 evidences a worrying trend: two of the three regularly used alternative materials have not been used, leaving only bamboo and bamboo hybrid boards providing a more environmental solution. Why are alternative flooring materials significant? The raw material for the boards traditionally used in container flooring is slow growing hardwood trees. Stocks and availability of harvestable and sustainable lumber is falling and log diameter is reducing making it harder to produce quality veneers for the plies (layers) used to build up the boards. Consequently there are fears that the quality of the boards provided for both new build and replacement is deteriorating.