Climate change is getting worse. If we want to leave a better planet to future generations, humans need to start taking sustainability seriously. There are many ways to do this—installing solar panels, supporting eco-friendly businesses, driving less, and avoiding plastic bags and straws. But one way to support a green environment that many don’t think of is to use sustainable furniture.
The manufacturing of regular sofas, chairs, tables, cupboards, shelves, and other furniture requires a lot of raw and synthetic materials. Plus, it produces a lot of waste.
However, using sustainable furniture has much less impact on the environment. So here are some of the best types of sustainable furniture you should try:
1. Heirloom furniture
Did you know that wood continues to release carbon dioxide into the air long after it has been cut? This means buying new furniture made from wood contributes to the release of greenhouse gases into the environment.
That’s why it’s better to buy used heirloom furniture. The older the wood, the less CO2 it will release (if any at all). Plus, vintage furniture is built to last. So you can count on keeping it for a while. Think of it as a long-term, eco-friendly investment.
2. Reclaimed wood furniture
Many companies build and sell furniture purely from reclaimed wood. Sometimes the wood comes from old barns that have been reclaimed into furniture, like this Barn Wood Collection, and other times it comes from old furniture that’s been restored.
Either way, using reclaimed wood furniture is a great way to be resource-efficient. To find reclaimed wood furniture, look for the Rediscovered Wood Certification by the Rainforest Alliance.
3. Sustainable wood furniture
Sustainable wood furniture is furniture made from wood that’s been sustainably harvested. This means the wood is taken from forests that can grow new trees to replace old ones indefinitely.
Buying sustainable wood furniture helps fight against deforestation. After all, trees are an essential natural resource that help produce oxygen through photosynthesis.
To find sustainable wood furniture, look for furniture that’s been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This standard controls for clear-cutting and promotes good working conditions.
4. Furniture from recycled materials
Wood isn’t the only repurposed furniture material. You can also find furniture made from recycled metal, plastic, aluminum, and more. Furniture from recycled materials requires less processing and fewer resources to make.
Look for end-to-end sustainability as well. That means not only should the furniture be from recycled material but you should be able to easily disassemble and recycle it when you are done with it—whether that’s by giving it away or selling it on eBay or Craigslist.
Also, look for recycled furniture that is durable and easy to fix. That way, there’s less chance you will need to replace it.
5. Bamboo furniture
Bamboo makes for great natural furniture material. It grows fast, it’s versatile, and it’s easy to work with. Bamboo can be flattened into flooring or molded into outdoor or indoor furniture.
Just be aware that bamboo furniture is often held together with glue, which releases toxins. So avoid bamboo furniture held together with glue when possible.
6. Low-toxicity furniture
Unfortunately, most furniture contains glues and other materials that release chemicals like formaldehyde, which has been linked to illnesses like cancer. So look for low-toxicity furniture when shopping.
The same goes for flame-retardant furniture. Flame retardants are made from powders that release toxic fumes. So you want to avoid them when possible.
Final tips
At the end of the day, there are many ways to support a cleaner environment with your furniture. Here are a few final tips:
Before you make a purchase, do your research. Ask the manufacturer where the materials were sourced and how the furniture has been treated. Familiarize yourself with common terms so you know what to watch out for.
Adopt a minimalist mindset. Fight against consumerism by buying furniture that is flexible, light, and small. Think extendable dining room tables or transformer furniture like couches that fold out into beds.
Though one person can’t have much impact on climate change, when everyone does their part, it makes a difference.
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