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With the range of furniture on the market today selecting furniture that is good for both you and the environment can be a challenge. Before making your buying decisions, it helps to be armed with a little knowledge of how furniture is made and the environmental impacts of the materials used. To get you started here are some of the materials you need to be aware of when buying green furniture.
Wood: The clearing of forests affects the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and causes land issues from deforestation. To use wood more sustainably it is important to choose wood products that have been certified to come from forests that are sustainably managed. Wood can also be reused and some lovely furniture is made from recycled wood. You can find out more about sustainable wood here.
Rapidly Renewable Materials: It is becoming more common to use materials that can rapidly renew themselves in green furniture. One example is bamboo which is becoming more popular due to its growing speed and versatility. Other rapidly renewable materials are rattan, straw (and straw board), cotton and wool.
Aluminum and Steel: The production of metal requires a lot of energy which creates carbon emissions; however metal also has the ability to be recycled more than once reducing the overall environmental impact of these products. Any steel or aluminum components in green furniture should be made with a high percentage of recycled content.
Fabrics: Opting for fabrics that are made from natural fibers and use only natural dyes reduces the environmental impact of your furniture. Fabrics should be manufactured using sustainable practices without the use of harmful chemicals. Upholstery fabrics made with recycled content are also available.
Plastic: As plastic isn’t biodegradable it will become additional landfill waste if we can’t find another use for it. The plastic components of green furniture should have some recycled content and be able to be recycled at the end of its useful life.
Padding: Ideally padding in cushions should come from natural materials such as natural latex, cotton, feathers or wool. Other environmentally friendly options include recycled fabric and even recycled soda bottles. These options are more environmentally friendly than traditional foam cushions.
Being aware of the different materials used to make green furniture can help you make more informed purchasing decisions. As manufacturers aim to meet consumer demand for environmentally friendly products they often publicise how their products are made and what materials have been used.
