Best Eco Stuff

When you shop for furniture, do you pay close attention to exactly what you’re bringing into your home?

Most people have no idea that much of the furniture they use every day is releasing harmful gases into the air they breathe, is made of non-renewable resources, and was quickly assembled on a factory line by grossly underpaid workers. This furniture doesn’t last long, so before you know it, you’re putting it out by the curb and purchasing more of the same to go in its place.

You can break this cycle of waste, pollution and inhumane working conditions by simply being more conscious of what you buy.

Choose furniture that has been produced in environmentally sensitive ways. Eco-friendly furniture meets at least one of these criteria: it’s fairly traded, natural, organic, hand made, recycled, or sustainably harvested.

What is your furniture made of?

Most eco-friendly furniture is made of reclaimed lumber, recycled pre- and post-consumer waste, renewable resources or all natural materials.

Reclaimed lumber is wood that is salvaged from renovation projects and tear-downs. It often comes from barns, warehouses, and old homes, but can also come from all sorts of used wooden items such as wine barrels. It has a beautifully aged look, a lot of character, and a history behind it. Recycled

lumber has had many years to dry out, so it’s less likely to shrink, twist or warp. Many people who like an aged or shabby chic look spend hours trying to make new wood resemble these prized reclaimed timbers.

Recycled furniture can be made from a wide variety of different pre- or post-consumer waste materials. Eco-friendly furniture makers are producing some really exciting, modern furniture with recycled materials like steel, tires, glass, dairy containers, soda bottles, and even industrial waste. Plus recycled furniture can be really FUN! Check out the recycled bathtub below from reestore…These materials really do tend to be very strong, waterproof, stain-proof, and low maintenance.

Sustainably harvested furniture is made of renewable resources. It’s been harvested in a way that preserves the supply line, ensuring that use of that supply won’t cause it to run out. Most sustainably harvested furniture is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which requires the furniture maker to preserve the ecological balance of the supply source, and provide benefits to local people (to find out more about the FSC requirements, see our Product Approval Policy). Some renewable resources used in furniture include bamboo, cork, and wheat straw.

Natural materials such as stone, wood, and cotton can also be used to make eco-friendly furniture. Some natural materials, like pressed sunflower seed shells, are by-products that otherwise would have been thrown away. 100% natural furniture contains no synthetic materials, so there’s minimal processing and no chemicals involved.

Who made it?

Many workers in furniture factories across the world are grossly underpaid for their efforts, work in unsafe and/or unsanitary conditions, and are forced to work incredibly long hours. Some of these workers are even shockingly young. Buying furniture that was created in these factories supports the people who run them, giving them incentive to work their employees even harder.

The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is working to stop these practices. Furniture makers who participate in the fair trade movement ensure that their workers are paid fair wages, work in a safe, democratic environment, and have financial and technical support. Most fairly traded furniture is also recycled or sustainably harvested.

Many fairly traded eco-friendly furniture items are also hand made by skilled artisans. The production of hand-made items uses fewer natural resources (like the electricity required by a factory) and has a lower impact on the environment. When you buy hand-made products, you’re supporting the traditions of craftsmen and artisans, allowing them to continue on for future generations.

How was it packaged and shipped?

Shipping heavy furniture items can use a lot of natural resources. To protect fragile furniture items during transit, some manufacturers use excessive amounts of Styrofoam, bubble wrap and new (non-recycled) cardboard. These materials are low-cost for the manufacturer, but not for the environment.

Responsible eco-friendly furniture manufacturers are taking steps to remedy this problem. Using repurposed or recycled materials like corrugated cardboard and paper as well as biodegradable starch peanuts lessens the impact that furniture packaging and shipments make on the environment. Many of these manufacturers strive to ship their furniture with as little packaging as possible.