When it comes to sustainability, there are a lot of factors that lead to choosing the most eco-friendly lifestyle – both for you and your surroundings. Sustainable furniture is one step the world is taking toward creating a greener earth, and Furnitureland South is proud to be a part of those efforts.
Here at the world’s largest furniture store, we believe in putting the consumer first, meaning anything we can do to help you create a safe, comfortable and stylish space is a top priority. Because of this, we work with sustainable furniture brands and manufacturers who have similar motivations and do what they can to make environmentally safe products.
What is Sustainable Living?
Before we jump into sustainable furniture, it is important to understand the motivation behind eco-friendly practices. Many ask, “why should I participate in sustainability practices?”
The answer is a plethora of reasons. From climate change, political and economic policies, social factors and fashion trends, the world around us is constantly changing and imploring us to shift our ways of life. In conjunction, these factors are working together to influence the way we spend our money.
So, what is sustainable living?
Sustainable living is simply doing what you can to eliminate your impact on the environment by lowering your carbon footprint. Your carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases you and your daily activities emit, so taking steps to reduce it has a positive effect on the environment. This begs the question: how does one lower their carbon footprint, and what does it have to do with furniture?
What Does Sustainability Have to do With Furniture?
The tangible things we fill our houses with can have a negative or zero impact on our environment, depending on what materials and qualities we choose to purchase and use. If you do not pay attention to how your furniture is made, or what materials are used, then you could unknowingly be bringing in harmful pollutants that can be detrimental to the health of you and those around you.
To make furniture last or simply look pretty, a lot of products will be made, cleaned or finished with chemicals that emit pollutants. This makes the material the furniture is made of important to note, as its origin story could be unfavorable to the environment.
Sustainable Furniture Manufacturing
Today, more and more responsibility is being placed on manufacturers to make sustainable furniture by using ethically sourced and eco-friendly materials. Because of this, manufacturers are halting their use of treated substances and inorganic materials.
A great resource to use when searching for eco-friendly furniture is the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC), comprised of furniture manufacturers, retailers and designers who are doing their part to practice sustainability. If the furniture you have fallen in love with is listed as a member of the SFC, then it is safe to say they are conducting eco-friendly operations.
Sustainable Materials
Our friends at American Leather are founding members of the SFC and have an incredible sustainability story. Their frames are assembled from wood harvested from sustainable forests, meaning for every tree that is cut down, another tree is planted in its place. Any leftover scrap from this process is then recycled and reused.
Furniture that is treated with flame retardants and formaldehyde can produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), so choosing furniture that has a low-toxicity label is a smart decision for you and those around you. Likewise, looking for untreated furniture or pieces that have been treated with natural substances, such as natural wood finishes and naturally tanned leather, will benefit you in the long run.
Organic cotton is also rising in popularity. Aside from making a comfortable seat, organic cotton is known for its strength and ability to be grown without the use of chemicals. Look for upholstered furniture made with organic cotton as an alternative to chemically-laden fibers.
Finding Sustainable Furniture Brands
Once you’ve decided what you’re looking for, be on the lookout for the following attributes to determine whether that piece has been ethically sourced or not. Selecting eco-friendly furniture that is made of certified sustainable or reclaimed wood, bamboo and recycled metals and plastic is a great place to start.
Gloster understands the importance of strong wood furniture and has a process in place to make their wood last longer. Sourcing their wood materials from managed plantations that produce teak with a lifespan of at least 50 years, Gloster is creating sustainable outdoor furniture that is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified.
Similarly, Polywood was the first company to make weatherproof outdoor furniture using recyclable materials from milk jugs. Fun fact: almost 100% of their product is recycled.
In terms of what to look for in sustainable furniture, the process is easier than it seems. Finding furniture that can easily be recycled or disassembled is a surefire way to help the environment, as those pieces can be repurposed rather than thrown into a landfill where they then release toxic gas into the atmosphere as they decompose. In an effort to diminish the negative impact of landfills, the team at Four Hands repurposes plastic water bottles into recycled yarns.
Durability
Durability is an essential quality of sustainable furniture. The longer a piece of furniture lasts, the less likely it is to spend time in a landfill. The shift towards living sustainably has caused the demand for quality products to grow, and more people are willing to invest in furniture that will stand the test of time instead of purchasing cheaper, flimsy pieces that will need to be replaced.
If buying all of your furniture new is out of your budget, then antique shopping could be the solution for you. Vintage or second-hand furniture is not only budget-friendly (you can often find solid wood pieces at lower prices); it is also environmentally friendly. By prolonging the life of a piece of furniture and getting away from disposable “fast furniture,” you’re keeping that piece in circulation, meaning additional materials won’t need to be used to create new furniture.
If you are looking to do away with your furniture, try reselling, donating, repurposing or even placing it on your curb for free pick-up. Refinishing is also a creative project that can help give a piece of furniture new life through a complete transformation.
Recap
Sustainability comes with a learning curve, but understanding its impact is one of the most important aspects. Taking small steps to create a more environmentally friendly home is something everyone can do to make the world a greener place. Luckily, we’re all in this together!
Here at Furnitureland South, we are committed to bringing you safe products that will last. Visit us today to tour our 400-foot Eco-Link, showcasing eco-friendly furniture crafted with reclaimed and recycled materials. If you’re interested in learning more about our sustainability policy, click here or schedule your free design consultation to discuss which of our brands are leaping toward sustainable living!