Eco-friendly furniture brands have become increasingly popular with consumers because of their environmental benefits and durability. However, when choosing eco-friendly furniture, you will also want to make sure the products are made with fair labor and environmental standards in mind.
Environmental impact
Purchasing best sustainable furniture brands is ideal for showing your environmental support and can also benefit your health and well-being. In addition, research shows that most consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable products.
Ethical furniture starts with the materials that are used to produce the furniture. Choosing products made from environmentally friendly raw materials reduces pollution in the world.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, sustainable furniture is typically durable, making it last for years. This means less waste and pollution for consumers and the environment, reducing carbon footprint.
For this reason, many people are turning to sustainable office furniture options. Eco-friendly office furniture options include recycled and reclaimed materials and furnishings made from FSC-certified wood.
Another option is to buy second-hand furniture. You can lower your carbon footprint by avoiding international transportation if you buy second-hand furniture. Buying locally instead of shipping can also help you reduce your carbon footprint.
One type of sustainable material that is becoming more popular is wool. Wool is a natural, biodegradable product that is readily available. Using wool in your home or office is a great way to ensure you are not destroying a scarce resource.
However, you should be careful when purchasing this type of material. Some of the worst off-gassing chemicals are formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs can pose a risk to human health.
It can also have a significant impact on indoor air quality. Therefore, the best type of sustainable material contains low VOCs.
Fair labor conditions
The furniture industry is a great place to promote sustainability. Eco-friendly furniture brands are focused on sustainable manufacturing practices and ethical supply chains.
Buying from an eco-friendly brand means less environmental impact and more long-lasting products. For example, some furniture makers use recycled materials, while others source from sustainably managed forests. It’s also a good idea to check with your retailer to see if they’re taking the time to test new technologies, like electric vehicle charging stations, to make your home more environmentally friendly.
You should also look for greener alternatives, such as reclaimed wood. A good company will also do its part to protect the environment, such as donating to nonprofit green organizations.
While it may seem oxymoronic, a few reputable companies are making green furniture. These include FlexiSpot, which uses reclaimed wood to manufacture its furniture, and Medley, which has a California-based factory that donates to nonprofit green organizations.
In addition to sustainable practices, you should look for fair labor conditions. Unfortunately, many conventional furniture manufacturers don’t offer fair wages for their employees. Several major furniture retailers have moved their factories to Asia, where workers earn shockingly low wages and often suffer from poor working conditions.
Other factors to consider when deciding on your next purchase include energy and water efficiency. Greener options include FSC-certified wood and upcycled plastics.
Finally, there are numerous third-party certifications to choose from. For example, there’s the Rediscovered Wood Certification. Purchasing a piece of sustainable furniture may be the best decision you’ll ever make.
There are even more ways to go green, including minimizing your carbon footprint and supporting local vendors. One example is GOODIE, a carefully curated marketplace with only the most eco-friendly items in its inventory.
Durability and sturdiness
If you’re looking for durable and sturdily constructed furniture for your home, you’ll want to consider eco-friendly brands. Many companies use recycled materials and smart designs to minimize their environmental impact.
Resource Furniture is one of the most respected eco-friendly furniture brands. They offer a wide range of sustainable wood and bamboo options. You can also order custom pieces. Their finishes are all-natural, and their woods are FSC certified.
EcoBalanza is a Seattle-based eco-friendly furniture brand. Most of their products are made from sustainable woods, such as reclaimed wood and hardwood. They also use organic and natural fabrics. This allows them to avoid using harmful chemicals.
Medley Home is another sustainable furniture company. Their woods are finished naturally with beeswax. They also use natural and organic materials in their cushions and upholstery.
Sabai is a North Carolina-based sustainable furniture manufacturer. Their materials are mostly recycled, but they also use virgin, organic materials. In addition, all of their fabrics are FSC certified and have a wide variety of finishes and styles.
Another eco-friendly furniture brand, JoyBird, is based in Mexico. They use non-toxic, natural materials and have a living wage for their workers. The company also pays fair prices for its raw materials.
Viesso is a US-based eco-friendly furniture brand that offers a variety of sustainable materials. Some of their products are made from recycled plastic. These durable pieces are resistant to insects, moisture, and saltwater.
Other eco-friendly brands include Alabama Sawyer and Maiden Home. Both of these companies are members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council. Simply is also part of the council. Purchasing furniture from a council member ensures that you’re purchasing a product that is ethically made in the U.S.
Reduced indoor VOCs
As consumer awareness increases, eco-friendly furniture is on the rise. These pieces can help support an eco-friendly lifestyle while providing a healthier indoor environment.
VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, can be released into the air when finished with a solvent-based lacquer. They can also have harmful health effects.
Many manufacturers are choosing to use low-VOC finishes on their products. This is a safer choice, as they are a more natural alternative to finishing wood. Some common ones include tung oil, linseed oil, and natural beeswax.
Some brands are even using recycled materials to make their products. For example, Avocado uses materials free of heavy metals and formaldehyde.
Emeco is a brand that prides itself on making its furniture out of sustainable materials. The company ships its products in a 100% recyclable package, and its factory is energy efficient.
Web Design Green is another company that uses sustainable materials to create its products. The brand also processes the furniture through local artisans, which helps reduce pollution caused by transport.
Medley uses kiln-dried alder and solid maple for its frames and finishes. As a result, it is free of chemical adhesives, heavy metals, and formaldehyde.
Sabai uses wood from responsibly-harvested forests. Its velvet fabric is reclaimed from plastic bottles and is naturally stain-resistant.
Emeco uses recycled leather, polyester, and other eco-friendly materials to make its furniture. It is also transparent about its commitment to the environment.
Sabai offers a sustainability program and has a family-owned factory in North Carolina. All of its wood is FSC certified.
These companies are leading the way in climate-friendly furniture production. You can find various options to choose from, and it is easy to ensure that your new pieces are healthy for you and your family.
Suitable to a contemporary living style
To find out which eco-friendly furniture brands are worth your money, you need to know the basics. The best brands use recycled materials and manufacturing methods that minimize environmental impact.
As you might imagine, choosing a sustainable brand means shopping around. Some brands are more committed to sustainability than others. You should also consider how the company can deliver the goods to your home.
One of the first things you should ask about is durability. Some companies will use woods prone to cracking, warping, and splitting. To ensure that the furniture you choose will last a long time, look for brands that source sustainably harvested wood from the tropics or North America.
Another good idea is to choose a brand that is aware of the latest trends in the industry. A showroom employee should be able to give you the low down on the most current industry news.
For example, you might want to see if the manufacturer uses sustainable finishes such as beeswax or water-based lacquer. These materials do not contain harmful chemicals.
Besides being eco-friendly, these furniture brands are designed with style and function in mind. So if you’re looking for a new couch or table for the living room, check out these affordable and eco-friendly choices.
The Citizenry is a good example of how one can make a profit without causing harm to the environment. This e-commerce site sells eco-friendly, non-toxic furnishings and donates a portion of its profits to local artisan communities.
There’s also the Futon Shop, which focuses on natural, chemical-free mattresses and bed frames. It’s also worth checking out Made Trade, an online marketplace where you can find ethically sourced furniture for your home.