Furniture is what brings a space to life- it defines its mood, functionality, and overall ambiance. It is an integral part of an establishment- residential or commercial. Like every other discipline, furniture designing, and manufacturing have evolved. The changing climatic conditions and increasing health concerns have put the spotlight on exploring sustainable furniture – furniture made of eco-friendly materials. This shift in focus has provided designers with a fresh new canvas to work on, influencing the adoption and use of sustainable materials in making furniture.
Other than harming the environment, traditional furniture has come under much scrutiny because materials used in making it releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which adversely affect health and is carcinogenic in nature. One cannot emphasize the importance of eco-friendly, sustainable furniture enough. Recyclable materials, product durability, ability to refurbish, reliability, low energy consumption, less waste during production, clean production techniques, use of eco-friendly materials, and reusable packaging determine the eco-design principles of sustainable furniture.
Is Sustainable furniture = Green furniture?
Sustainable furniture is green furniture and more! Green focuses only on environmental issues like air pollution and waste management, while sustainability encompasses environmental concerns, longevity, and durability as well. Green is one-dimensional, but an essential part of sustainability. Sustainability incorporates changes across social, economic, and environmental activities for a balanced relationship between human beings and nature.
Benefits of sustainable furniture
Sustainable furniture is both easy on health and the pocket. It uses waste or recycled materials, making it cost-effective. Eco-friendly materials with unique textures provide designers with a platform to design and develop fascinating and attractive furniture. When used in combination with the right colours and accessories, bamboo, old wood, mushroom waste (mycotech), and Strawcture Agribiopanels can capture the consumers’ attention, interest, and mindshare.
Consequently, as a designer/manufacturer one can distinguish oneself by creating a healthier, attractive, and stylish space that is also economical. Eco-friendly furniture is often versatile with the ability to withstand the vagaries of nature, making it suitable to use outdoors as well.
Choice of Materials
Being sustainable, reclaimed and recyclable materials leave a minimal to nil negative impact on the environment. Eco-friendly sustainable materials also include recycled metals, ceramic, plastic, straw stubble & husk ( Strawcture eco), cork, and old furniture.
Next comes replacing synthetic fabric with sustainable fabric. Options for sustainable materials include soybeans, recycled cotton, wool, ropes, polyester, leather, harvested nettles, hemp, jute, and straw.
With the right kind of material in place, the next core area of concern is the production substances such as surface finishings, adhesives, and treatments that contain toxic chemicals emitting harmful gases. These negatively impact the air quality, hence need to be replaced by organic, less/ non-toxic alternatives.
It is time to accept and be a part of the Circular Economy (CE) – where waste is designed to be reused, where materials are kept in use by recycling, and where natural resources are reused to their maximum capacity.
This is also the core philosophy driving Strawcture Eco- ‘Waste is waste only when we waste it’. Our Basic & Premium Agribiopanels ranging from 9mm- 25mm fit all types of furniture or storage requirements. Being termite-proof, with a 2hr+ fire resistance, low VOC, and E1 certification, they make for a safe and sensible choice of material when designing furniture.
Remember, we loan the planet from our children!
Preserving forests today is of paramount importance to prevent the ecological balance from deteriorating further. Shifting preferences from the all-time favourite wood to eco-friendly options will enable this. Recycled materials, products from plantations, or ecological farms, that have no CO2 emissions will help.
Indoor air quality is often way more polluted than outdoor air quality. Furniture that’s good for the environment and health of people becomes crucial.
What is in it for me?
The world is your oyster. As an eco-friendly furniture manufacturer, with an early mover advantage coupled with the correct practices and certifications, the world is your market.
New materials give designing new wings at cheaper production costs. Combine this with high durability and it’s a win-win situation. The more environmentally efficient the manufacturing is, the fewer resources are used, and the more money is saved.
The world is moving towards sustainable furniture manufacturing and some global players viz. West Elm, Burrow, Avocado, and Joybird are showing the way in preserving our planet. For instance, Joybird in order to preserve rainforests ensures to plant more trees than were used in manufacturing for each item that it sells
Closer home, in India Sadaya Guild, Differniture, Sylvn Studio and Baro are some brands doing meaningful work in reducing toxicity in their furniture manufacturing process. Differniture for instance works on minimal waste design with reclaimed wood, salvaged materials, and their use of natural, non-toxic oils and waxes.
Sustainability must be an integral part of our existence. We can do so by partnering with brands that are eco-friendly and ethical. Sustainable furniture is the future. Take a hold of yours sooner than later!
