Furnishing Green: Steps to buying Sustainable Furniture
As sustainable living becomes increasingly important, homeowners are seeking furniture that's not only affordable and well-crafted but also environmentally conscious. Many individuals are now prioritising the environmental impact of their furniture choices as part of their strategies for sustainable urban living.
What is sustainable furniture?
Before diving into our top tips for selecting eco-friendly furniture, let's establish what we mean by sustainable furniture, a crucial aspect of what is sustainable living.
In the contemporary furniture industry, whilst various definitions exist, we consider sustainable furniture to be pieces that are designed and manufactured with minimal environmental impact, supporting the principles of sustainable urban living.
Based on this understanding, sustainable furniture should:
Be crafted for maximum durability, without intentional obsolescence
Utilise materials from renewable sources (or recycled components)
Avoid materials containing harmful or polluting chemicals
Be designed with end-of-life recyclability in mind
It's worth noting that we're specifically discussing sustainable residential furniture - pieces designed for home environments including living rooms, dining areas, bedrooms, home offices, and other domestic spaces.
What to look for when buying sustainable furniture
Now that you understand the concept of sustainable furniture as part of best tips for sustainable living, let's explore how to make informed purchases.
Consider refurbishing your existing furniture
Before making new purchases, evaluate whether your current furniture could be renewed.
Many furniture pieces can be successfully refurbished - from reupholstering chairs to replacing tabletops, giving your existing items a new lease of life is often possible.
If you have partially damaged furniture (such as a wooden dining chair), skilled craftspeople can often restore it to its former glory.
If you're unsure whether your furniture is suitable for refurbishment, our expert team is here to provide guidance.
Check for environmental certifications
One of the most reliable ways to identify sustainable furniture is to look for environmental or sustainability certifications.
When implementing strategies for sustainable urban living, it's essential to recognise that eco-friendly furniture typically carries an 'ecolabel'.
These ecolabels, which emerged in the 1970s, serve as quick visual indicators of sustainable living practices in furniture manufacturing. With growing environmental awareness during that period, ecolabels became increasingly prevalent, and today's furniture industry utilises 35 primary ecolabels.
Some ecolabels assess entire furniture companies' commitment to sustainable urban living (evaluating their complete operational practices), whilst others specifically focus on the sustainability of individual materials like wood or plastic components.
Here are the most prevalent ecolabels you'll encounter when shopping for furniture in the UK, helping you make informed choices aligned with best tips for sustainable living.
The FSC label
Among the most recognised ecolabels in UK furniture retail is the FSC label, a crucial marker of what is sustainable living in practice.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) manages this certification, widely acknowledged as the globe's most respected sustainable forestry indicator, ensuring furniture timber meets rigorous environmental standards.
To qualify for FSC certification, timber must:
Be harvested using methods that prevent deforestation
Come from operations providing fair wages and suitable working conditions
Be sourced using practices that safeguard local flora and fauna during harvesting
Choosing FSC-certified furniture ensures you're supporting sustainable living through responsibly sourced wood products.
It's worth noting that FSC certification comes in three distinct varieties:
FSC Mix - furniture incorporating a combination of FSC-certified wood, recycled materials and/or FSC-controlled wood. This represents the basic level of FSC certification.
FSC Recycled - indicates furniture manufactured entirely from recycled wood materials.
FSC 100% - the highest standard of FSC certification, signifying furniture made exclusively from wood sourced from FSC-certified forests.
SCS Indoor Advantage
For furniture containing plastic elements or made entirely from plastic materials, look for the SCS Indoor Advantage certification.
SCS Indoor Advantage was established to address concerns about 'volatile organic compounds' (VOCs) emitted from plastic-based furniture, which can significantly impact indoor air quality and affect sustainable urban living practices.
These volatile organic compounds encompass substances like benzene, ethylene glycol, and formaldehyde. Extended exposure to these compounds not only poses risks to human health but also contributes to environmental degradation, making them a crucial consideration in strategies for sustainable urban living.
Bluesign Approved
In the fabric sector, the 'Bluesign Approved' ecolabel stands as a prominent certification. This endorsement recognises textile manufacturers who demonstrate exceptional commitment to what is sustainable living through environmentally conscious production methods.
To achieve Bluesign Approved status, fabric manufacturers undergo comprehensive supply chain audits, examining various aspects including chemical usage, water consumption, and raw material sourcing to ensure alignment with sustainable practices.
Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP)
FISP represents an independently verified sustainability initiative that recognises furniture manufacturers demonstrating exceptional commitment to environmental responsibility.
Since 2006, FISP has earned recognition among procurement teams, specifiers, architects and furniture buyers as the premier standard for sustainable furniture manufacturing.
Check the furniture's materials
Closely related to environmental certifications is the importance of examining the materials used in contract furniture construction.
Whilst furniture bearing environmental accreditations typically incorporates sustainably sourced materials, it's worth noting that not all manufacturers pursue certifications like the FSC label, despite using recycled materials in their furniture production.
When embracing sustainable living, it's crucial to thoroughly review the specifications and descriptions of furniture items. These details typically outline the variety of materials utilised and their origins, indicating whether they're recycled or sourced from sustainable, renewable resources.
The renewable, versus recyclable versus recycled distinction
To support your journey towards sustainable urban living, let's clarify a common source of confusion amongst furniture buyers.
When exploring furniture options, you'll encounter three distinct terms that, whilst seemingly interchangeable, carry unique implications for strategies for sustainable urban living:
Renewable/sustainable - Some furniture pieces are labelled as using renewably or sustainably sourced materials. This indicates the use of virgin materials obtained from renewable sources, such as timber harvested from sustainably managed forests, aligning with best tips for sustainable living.
Recyclable - These items are manufactured using new, virgin materials that can be recycled once the furniture reaches the end of its useful life, supporting what is sustainable living through future resource conservation.
Recycled - These pieces are crafted from previously used materials that have been repurposed, representing the highest level of sustainability in furniture manufacturing.
Among these categories, furniture incorporating recycled materials stands as the most environmentally conscious choice. This is because it avoids using virgin materials, thereby preserving natural resources, whilst simultaneously preventing materials from entering landfills and supporting the circular economy.
To illustrate the environmental impact of recycled materials, consider furniture containing recycled aluminium. Its production requires 95% less energy compared to manufacturing aluminium from raw materials, making it an excellent choice for sustainable urban living.
Various recycled materials can be incorporated into contract furniture, demonstrating the industry's commitment to sustainability. These materials not only reduce environmental impact but also often result in unique, characterful pieces that enhance your living space whilst supporting your sustainable lifestyle choices.
Reclaimed timber - Previously utilised wood repurposed from existing furniture or other applications, supporting sustainable living practices.
Recycled composite wood - Engineered wood products like plywood manufactured using recycled materials, exemplifying strategies for sustainable urban living.
Recycled metals - Materials such as aluminium that undergo recycling processes to create new furniture pieces, contributing to sustainable resource management.
Recycled upholstery - Contemporary contract fabrics increasingly feature 100% post-consumer recycled materials. For instance, Camira's Rivet fabric transforms discarded plastic bottles into recycled polyester, demonstrating best tips for sustainable living.
Recycled polypropylene - An increasing number of chairs incorporate recycled polypropylene, either wholly or partially in seats and back supports. This eco-conscious choice reduces reliance on new oil-based plastic production, supporting what is sustainable living.
It's worth noting that furniture made from recyclable materials or renewable resources can still contribute to sustainable urban living. However, when purchasing recyclable items, the responsibility falls to you to ensure proper recycling at the end of their useful life.
Similarly, for furniture claiming to use renewable resources, verify these assertions by checking for recognised ecolabels or certifications.
Durability
When selecting sustainable furniture for your home, durability becomes a crucial consideration.
Consider this perspective: furniture crafted from recycled materials loses its sustainability value if it requires frequent replacement due to poor durability.
Therefore, it's essential to invest in contract furniture designed and manufactured to provide extended, reliable service life, aligning with long-term sustainable living practices.
The simplest method to assess durability is by reviewing the guarantee or warranty period. Generally, longer warranty periods indicate greater expected longevity.
Another reliable indicator of furniture durability lies in its construction methods. For wooden-framed chairs, look for mortise and tenon joints, widely recognised as one of the most robust joinery techniques in furniture making.
When examining metal-framed furniture, assess the welding quality. Superior, durable welds typically feature full fillet and/or groove welds.
For plastic furniture, single-piece poly chairs manufactured through injection moulding typically offer the greatest durability, as they're formed from one continuous piece of polypropylene.
These considerations ensure your furniture choices support both environmental consciousness and long-term practicality, key aspects of sustainable living.
The same principle applies to upholstered furniture pieces. When selecting fabrics, prioritise contract-grade materials that demonstrate high durability, featuring impressive Martindale Rub Test ratings and specifically engineered for your intended environment, supporting sustainable living practices.
Local manufacture
Just as sustainable urban living encourages reducing 'food miles' (the distance food travels from source to plate), consider minimising 'furniture miles' when selecting contract furniture for your home.
If environmental impact is a priority in your sustainable living journey, opt for furniture manufactured within the UK to reduce transportation-related emissions.
However, it's important to acknowledge a significant consideration. In today's interconnected global marketplace where supply chains stretch across continents, sourcing furniture entirely manufactured in the UK presents considerable challenges, even for those committed to strategies for sustainable urban living.
Often, whilst furniture may be 'assembled in the UK', the core materials (such as metals, timber, and upholstery fabrics) originate from international sources, reflecting the complexity of modern manufacturing.
Nevertheless, many of our partner manufacturers, based in the UK and Europe, maintain robust sustainability policies. For detailed information about these environmental commitments and local manufacturing processes, please reach out to our team.
It's worth noting that international furniture isn't inherently unsustainable. Many global manufacturers participate in carbon offset programmes to counterbalance the environmental impact of product exportation, demonstrating best tips for sustainable living.
Efficient manufacture
Beyond local sourcing, consider the manufacturing processes themselves when evaluating what is sustainable living in furniture production.
Key questions include: Does the factory operate with optimal efficiency? Has the manufacturer implemented environmental protection measures? Does the company maintain carbon-neutral operations or work towards such goals?
These considerations significantly influence the overall sustainability of furniture production.
More contract furniture manufacturers now pursue specific certifications to demonstrate their environmental commitment. Notable credentials include:
ISO 14001:2015 Environmental management systems - This certification confirms that a company operates with comprehensive systems designed to minimise environmental impact and reduce pollution.
PAS 2060:2014 - A British Standards Institute (BSI) standard enabling companies to verify their carbon neutrality claims.
These accreditations serve as reliable indicators of manufacturers genuinely investing in sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.
Design
An essential consideration in sustainable urban living, particularly when selecting contract furniture, is the timeless nature of design.
To truly embrace what is sustainable living through your furniture choices, opt for pieces that will remain stylistically relevant for years, if not decades, thereby minimising their ecological footprint and supporting long-term strategies for sustainable urban living.
In other words, avoid purchasing furniture that follows fleeting design trends.
That ultra-modern, vibrant orange sofa might appear fashionable today but consider its aesthetic appeal a decade from now.
For those committed to best tips for sustainable living, select furniture featuring classic lines, enduring shapes, and versatile, neutral colour palettes that transcend temporary trends.
At Rosehill, we collaborate with numerous contract furniture manufacturers specialising in creating enduring pieces that maintain their contemporary appeal well into the future.
Packaging
Invariably, contract furniture arrives with some form of protective packaging.
Typically, this packaging comprises:
Wooden pallets.
Shrink wrap.
Banding.
Cardboard.
Other protective materials.
To align with sustainable living principles, enquire about your chosen manufacturer's packaging materials' recyclability.
You'll discover an increasing number of contract furniture manufacturers now utilise fully recyclable or reusable packaging materials, demonstrating their commitment to environmental responsibility.
Energy-efficient features
While this may seem a minor consideration, it's worth noting for comprehensiveness. When purchasing contract furniture incorporating electrical components, such as data modules, power units, or lighting features, ensure these elements are energy-efficient.
For instance, if selecting an acoustic pod with integrated lighting, confirm it uses LED technology, significantly reducing the furniture piece's lifetime energy consumption.
Make the right choice initially
The most crucial aspect of sustainable purchasing for your property is ensuring you select appropriate items from the outset. Nothing contradicts sustainable living principles more than purchasing furniture items only to replace them shortly after because they're unsuitable for your space or requirements.