Your Guide to Sustainable Furniture: Your Home, Your Planet

Welcome eco conscious wonder!

You're here because you care about the planet and want your home to reflect that.

But, sustainable furniture can be confusing, like walking through a thick forest without a map. What does sustainability actually mean? What materials are truly sustainable? And how can you make a real difference?

Fear not, for you've stumbled upon your guide through this green wilderness.

This article will illuminate the path towards a home filled with furniture that's not just stylish, but kind to our planet.

So, strap on your hiking boots and let's embark on this journey towards sustainable living, one furniture piece at a time.

What is Sustainable Furniture?

Sustainable furniture is produced with a small social and environmental footprint, using renewable or recycled materials, from regenerative programs.

Sustainability is a holistic approach that also considers:

The manufacturing process.
The lifespan of the product.
Its end-of-life disposal.

Unmasking The Dark Side of Furniture Production

Furniture companies who engage in non-sustainable practices, leave a devastating impact on our planet. Sustainable furniture is not just a trend, it's a necessity.

The demand for wood furniture contributes to the loss of 18.7 million acres of forest per year.

Deforestation:

Destroys the habitats of animals, leading to their extinction
Causes soil erosion & reduced water quality
Increases air pollution
Disrupts weather cycles continents away, which causes:
Reduced food production
Floods & droughts
Melting ice caps
Rising sea levels

Deforestation releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere, which is why it's important to choose woods from regenerative programs.

This chain reaction heavily contributes to global climate change, making the shift towards sustainable products all the more crucial.

The Green Guardians: How Trees Combat Climate Change

Did you know that trees play a crucial role in combating climate change?

Through carbon sequestration, trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and store it in their biomass. When trees are cut down, they release the stored CO2 back into the atmosphere.

That's why it's vital to harvest mature trees from regenerative plantations, which offsets carbon emissions released during harvest.

Even better if the trees have high carbon sequestration, such as bamboo or mango trees, which quickly absorb CO2 to support their growth.

Sustainable Furniture Checklist:

Eco Friendly Materials:

Select furniture made from sustainable materials: Eco-friendly materials like beechwood, bamboo, mango wood, organic cotton, recycled wood and reclaimed metal.
Consider low-impact materials: Look for materials with a lower footprint, such tencel, linen, mango wood, or natural latex.

Longevity and Upcycling:

Choose durable, solid wood furniture. Buying solid wood furniture means you'll love it for longer, and won't need to replace as often, which helps reduce waste and landfill.
Find second-hand or upcycled furniture: Giving new life to pre-loved pieces diverts waste from landfills and adds unique character to your home.
Consider repair and refurbishment: Choose furniture that can be easily repaired or reupholstered to extend its lifespan.

Sourcing and Production:

Look for certifications: Seek out furniture with certifications like FSC Certified Wood (Forest Stewardship Council), GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for textiles, or Fairtrade for ethical production.
Choose locally made furniture: Reduce transport emissions by opting for locally produced pieces.
Research furniture brands sustainability commitment.

Sustainable Curved Nightstand with 2 Drawers | Oak Finish $239

List of Sustainable Materials That Matter:

Renewable, sustainable, natural materials are grown and harvested without causing long-term damage to the environment. They are the backbone of eco-friendly furniture:

Most Sustainable Wood for Furniture:

Bamboo Wood: Technically a grass, rapidly renewable, strong, high carbon sequestration, and lightweight (lower transport footprint).
Beechwood: Durable, and local to the USA meaning lower transport emissions.
Mango Wood: Durable hardwood, high carbon sequestration, carbon negative.
Hard Maple Wood: Highly durable and grown in abundance.
Black Cherry Wood: Durable hardwood, rapidly renewable.
Recycled wood: Repurposing old wood reduces waste.

What are the Most Sustainable Natural Fibers:

Cotton: Organic cotton reduces pesticide use.
Hemp: Durable, versatile, and requires minimal resources to grow.
Wool: Naturally renewable and biodegradable, incredible insulator.
Jute: Strong, durable, and biodegradable.
Tencel: Made from wood pulp, soft & breathable, renewable, biodegradable, low footprint
Linen: Sustainable, breathable, and biodegradable, often made from flax.
Seagrass: Resilient, natural fiber that grows rapidly in coastal areas.
Bamboo: Rapidly renewable, soft, strong yet lightweight. Made into Rayon Bamboo or Viscose Bamboo for bedding.

Other Sustainable Materials

Cork: Renewable, sustainable, and has excellent insulating properties.
Rubberwood: A byproduct of the rubber industry, it's a durable option.
Mica: A natural mineral that can be used for countertops and other surfaces.
Coconut husk: A waste product that can be used for upholstery and other applications.
Mushroom leather: A vegan alternative to leather made from mycelium.

Our Favorite Sustainable Materials:

Bamboo: The Sustainable Powerhouse

Bamboo is a highly renewable, fast-growing plant that regenerates quickly, with high carbon sequestration. When roots are untouched, it can be grown without the use of pesticide and herbicide.

Plus, it's incredibly strong and durable, rivaling the strength of many hardwoods. When it's processed into fabric, it's lightweight, breathable, and beautifully smooth.

When you choose bamboo, you're not just making a stylish choice—you're making an eco-friendly one.

Sustainable Bone Inlay Console Table | Edessa Collection $420

Mango Wood: A Carbon-Negative Champion

Mango trees have a carbon negative footprint, meaning they absorb more greenhouse gases than they produce over the entire span of their production life-cycle - making them more sustainable than many other wood sources.

That's why our furniture collection uses mango wood, sustainably sourced from regenerative plantations, at the end of their fruit bearing life. Kind to the planet and beautiful in your home!

So, when you choose mango wood furniture, you're not just bringing a piece of nature into your home, you're putting our planet first.

Conclusion: It's a Small Step With a Big Impact, and it Starts With Us.

As consumers we have enormous power to make companies listen.

By shifting our buying power from companies who engage in harmful practices, to those who prioritize social good, we can make a positive impact, and create the change we want to see in the world.

Make a meaningful difference by choosing eco-friendly furniture pieces. With each sustainable choice, you demonstrate your hope, love, and respect for our planet.

You're not just picking furniture, but choosing to be part of the solution.

Together, let's make a difference, one beautiful home at a time.