More than ever, the demand for sustainable products is at an all-time high. Any business or individual who has refused to ride the wave of sustainability will be left behind. In the furniture and interior design business, this isn't just another trend. It's a movement. Using eco-friendly materials and upcycling furniture are two of the most popular ways sustainability is practised in the furniture and cabinet-making industry. This article includes everything you need to know about Eco-friendly and Upcycled Furniture, and how both can help you achieve your desired interior designs.
What is Eco-Friendly Furniture?
Eco-friendly furniture, also known as green or sustainable furniture, is a type of furniture that is designed and produced in a way that reduces the environmental impact of its production. For any type of furniture in this category, factors like sustainability, energy efficiency, reduction of waste, and the use of non-toxic material are important – not just at the beginning of their life, but throughout their lifecycle.
Features of Eco-Friendly Furniture
Durability & Longevity:
• Eco-friendly furniture is built to last for a long period of time without needing material or maintenance.
• The designs of eco-friendly furniture are timeless. It can be used repeatedly to prevent the need for frequent furniture cycles.
Reduces Waste
• Sustainable furniture involves upcycling and reuse of old materials or wood, helping to reduce wastage in materials and resources.
• Almost nothing goes into the landfill with eco-friendly furniture. Even scraps or offcuts during production are repurposed for other furniture work.
Sustainable Materials
Eco-friendly furniture involves the use of materials that are highly sustainable. Examples of such materials are:
• Recycled metal or plastic – This involves repurposing plastic and materials that were originally meant to be thrown away after use. These repurposed materials are used to make furniture frames & components, outdoor furniture, and tables.
Non-toxic Finishes
• Eco-friendly furniture is finished with non-toxic materials like water-based or plant-based dyes, glues, or varnishes.
• Eco-friendly furniture does not involve the use of volatile organic compounds that are harmful to health.
Ethical Manufacturing
• Sustainable furniture is made in an environment that is conducive for workers to avoid any form of danger.
• Green furniture has a low carbon footprint as it doesn't have a long production process.
Benefits of Eco-Friendly Furniture
Environmental:
Eco-friendly furniture involves the use of sustainable materials like certified wood, reclaimed wood, or bamboo. The use of these materials helps eliminate the need for cutting down trees to make new furniture, thereby encouraging afforestation.
Health:
Organic materials like solid wood, organic cotton, wool, bamboo, and rattan are used for making eco-friendly furniture. These materials do not emit harmful substances, helping to improve indoor air quality.
Brand Value:
Apart from the environmental impact and the health benefits of eco-friendly furniture, it can also create value for a brand that has shown commitment to sustainability.
Eco-Friendly Furniture Production Process
Sourcing
The first step in producing eco-friendly furniture is looking for where to get your material. The most effective way to do this is by partnering with a sustainable supplier who is certified. This supplier will guide you to the right wood to use for your production.
Design
Eco-friendly furniture goes with any design. However, you need to factor in things like flat pack, modular, or repairability into your design to make it sustainability-rich.
Manufacturing
Eco-friendly furniture is not distinguished by its material components alone. Manufacturers must also ensure that the machines that are used are energy-efficient, and that ethical labour practices are implemented.
Finishing
The entire production process of eco-friendly furniture must not be harmful to the environment or humans, including the finishing. Apply non-toxic or natural coatings to eco-friendly furniture to make them sustainable.
Packaging
For eco-friendly furniture to be truly sustainable, every material that goes into it must be eco-friendly, including the packaging. Use recyclable or eco-friendly packaging like honeycomb paper, recycled cardboard, or moulded pulp. These packaging options are biodegradable and help reduce the use of plastic that can be toxic.
Distribution
For distribution, target local markets or opt for carbon offset shipping. By targeting the local market, you will be reducing transport emissions. And by using carbon offset shipping, you will be reducing carbon footprint.
What is Upcycled Furniture?
Upcycled furniture is an eco-friendly furniture type that involves the reuse, reimagining, and repurposing of old or discarded items to make something useful and valuable. This practice helps to reduce waste, save time, and money, and is considered one of the most sustainable ways of making furniture.
Materials Used for Upcycled Furniture
• Old doors, windows, and shutters
• Reclaimed hardwood or barn wood
• Pallet wood
• Scrap metals, pipes, industrial parts
• Components of old furniture like drawers, legs, tops, etc.
• Vintage suitcases, ladders, crates
Relationship between Upcycled Furniture and Eco-Friendly Furniture
Upcycled furniture is just another eco-friendly solution to furniture making. Here's a list of reasons why they are the same:
• Extension of the lifecycle of old materials: Both furniture types help to promote a circular economy by making it possible for materials to be repurposed, recycled, and reused. This helps to reduce material wastage and minimise environmental impact.
• Promotes creativity in sustainability: One thing that is common in all eco-friendly and upcycled furniture is the uniqueness that comes with individual reclaimed or recycled material. This uniqueness, which may come in the form of dents or imperfections, represents a story about the journey of each material – bringing a sense of storytelling into indoor aesthetics.
• Saves energy: Both upcycled and eco-friendly furniture lead to reduction in manufacturing energy and reduced industrial processes. Both involve the use of already existing materials or old items to make furniture. This helps to eliminate the need for going through the manufacturing process from beginning to end. Also, neither includes the use of harmful chemicals or substances that could lead to high energy consumption.
• Avoids deforestation: Eco-friendly and upcycled furniture are all about reusing or repurposing old materials or items to create new ones. They give new life to an old life. This helps to reduce the need for cutting down new trees – a practice that is considered harmful to the environment.
Final Thoughts
All upcycled furniture is eco-friendly furniture, but not all eco-friendly furniture is upcycled furniture. However, both offer sustainable ways of making furniture, with the benefits of each spreading across health, environment, energy, and finance. These two sustainable solutions challenge the norms and are driving humans towards a society where design and sustainability can coexist.