Sustainable Furniture Buying Guide

Buying furniture with sustainability in mind? Here are some points to consider.

Living more sustainably is something many of us strive for. We believe the future lies in filling our homes with items we love that are also kind on the planet. Below, we aim to break down the (sometimes confusing) world of sustainable furniture by highlighting some of the things to look out for when choosing furniture with sustainability in mind.

What is Sustainability?

Many topics come under the umbrella of 'sustainability'. To make it clearer, sustainability can be separated into three main areas. These are:

Environmental - Includes the impact on biodiversity such sourcing materials, waste production, water use, use and disposal of chemicals etc.
Social - Includes working conditions, fair pay, no child labour etc.
Economic - Includes ability for repair and durability of the design etc.

The sustainability of any given product (at any stage of its lifecycle) can be determined by assessing how well they adhere to each of the areas outlined above.

The Life Cycle of a Product Explained

The lifecycle of a product can be broken down into six steps (shown in the image above). This gives us key areas to look out for when buying with sustainability in mind. For instance, is the raw material sourced responsibly? Are workers paid a fair wage? Can the item be recycled at its end of life?

Buy Today, Keep Forever

Sustainability starts with the design and great design is built on a respect for quality craftsmanship and a considered approach to functionality. It is for these reasons that well-designed products stand the test of time, and stay in our homes for longer.

The longer a product stays in customer use, the slower the life cycle is repeated, thus reducing the environmental impact. This is why investing in high quality, durable items is a great way of buying more sustainably.

Design classics inherently have a lower environmental impact as durability and longevity are at the very core of their design. The great news is - they don't go out of style either. The Artek Stool 60 looks as good today as it did in 1933.

Modular products, which can be adapted as your needs change over time, can truly last a lifetime. For example, the String Shelving system can be tailored to suit your life with an endless variety of uses.

Materials

Materials play a big part in determining how sustainable a product is. Firstly, how the material is sourced and secondly, how it will break down at the end of its life. Sustainably sourced materials are where nature replaces a raw material faster than (or in line with) the speed it is being extracted.

There are lots of exciting advancements with the use of recycled materials. This is great news as repurposing waste to make new things helps close the loop on the product life cycle and reduces waste.

The N02-20 Recycle Chair by Fritz Hansen (shown above) is made from upcycled plastic household waste and can be recycled again after use. String Shelving has replaced some of its plastic products with cork, a renewable material, and bioplastics. The smart wood collection by Kartell uses patented technology to cut layers of wood which are so thin can be moulded into curved three-dimensional furniture. This revolutionary process drastically reduces waste. HAY has recreated the iconic AAC chair from a more sustainable perspective. The About A Chair AAC12 ECO uses recycled plastic to form the chair's signature aesthetic.

Third-Party Verification

The most impartial and trustworthy way to determine a brand's sustainability credentials is via certificates from third-party organisations. Certifications, things like FCS certified or Greenguard, mean an outside party has verified the brands own sustainability claims. Most brands have these easily available on their website. Take a look at Kartell, Fredericia and Skagerak for some examples of this.

Production

It is worth considering the production processes, for example, if any harmful chemicals or dyes are used. Vitra has launched an eco-friendly olive tanned leather which produces the same great results without the environmentally harmful substances used in traditional tanning.

Many of the brands we stock hold themselves to rigorously high standards. Knoll and Vitra, for example, have in-depth sustainability reports which are available on their website. Here you can see steps that have been taken so far as well as positive goals for the future.

Sustainable design goes hand in hand with respect for quality and craftsmanship. Many of our brands, Fredericia, Zeitraum, Muuto and Swedese, to name but a few, boast craftsmanship as an environmentally friendly approach to design at the very essence of the company.

The Vitra Akari Lamps are a stunning example of great craftsmanship. They are meticulously built by hand in the Ozeki workshop, a traditional family-run company based in Gifu. If you've not seen it already, we suggest you check out this video of an Akari lamp being delicately produced by one of the Ozeki workshops' skilled artisans.

Logistics

Shipping is one of the things that instantly come to mind when we think about carbon footprint. Brands such as Muuto, who produce their products for the Asian market in Asia and the European market in Europe, are an example of brands thinking local in the global market.

End of Life Management

The longer furniture can last the more sustainable it is. The Artek rewebbing service, where customers can update worn out webbing on their armchair, is a great example of maximising a product's life span.

Whether it's in 10 years or 100 years, there will come a time where furniture reaches the end of its life, this is where the choice of materials is essential. After disposal, the most sustainable materials can be recycled or will naturally break down and not contribute to plastic pollution.

Exciting innovation is being driven by a desire to reduce waste. Artek 2nd cycle is a platform that gives life to pre-loved furniture. Knoll has launched their Full Circle programme for contract customers who are looking to avoid landfill when decommissioning furniture from a space.

In spring 2021 Skagerak is launching Reclassic, a sustainable initiative aiming to reduce waste. When customers buy a new piece of furniture they can sell it back to Sakgerak years later. The Brand also has RENT, a rental service that makes it easy to furnish your outdoor space while at the same time acting responsibly. Rent ensures furniture has a long lifespan where they are re-rented and used again and again.

Choose Well, Make It Last

Whilst it may be impossible for one product to tick every single box, there are lots of ways to buy furniture in a more sustainable way. Choosing well, and making things last seems to be the best approach. We hope that this guide helps to break down key areas to look out for. There are lots of promising innovations happening and the future looks exciting.

Helpful Terms

Below are some helpful terms to look out for when buying furniture with sustainability in mind:

FSC certified - the wood used in the product and the manufacturer that made it met the requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council
Organic - produced without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial chemicals.
Renewable - a natural resource or source of energy that not depleted when used.
Recyclable - made of materials that can be recycled.
Recycled - waste that has been converted into reusable material.
Bioplastic - a type of biodegradable plastic derived from biological substances rather than petroleum.

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