Eco-Friendly Furniture: Where to Buy It and What to Look For

Eco-Friendly Furniture: Where to Buy It and What to Look For
It takes approx. 4 minutes to read this article

Eco-friendly furniture doesn’t have to be hard to find or overpriced. Some of the best places to buy eco-friendly furniture can also be some of the best kept secrets in your area! Read on to find out where you can find eco-friendly furniture and what you should look for when buying it. You may be surprised at what you find out about your town!

Environmentally Responsible Manufacturing

Besides purchasing locally, look for furniture made with sustainable standards in mind that is from our forest to your table. For example, some manufacturers use post-consumer recycled plastics for plywood components, which is a more eco-friendly choice than new wood. The manufacturers who use FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood products have pledged to use responsibly sourced materials. This helps you get more out of your purchase by knowing that it was produced in an environmentally responsible way. If you have a carpeted home or office, look for carpets with non-petroleum based dyes. Make sure to read the care instructions before purchasing anything.

Certified Organic Materials

Here are some signs that an item is certified organic. Check for the FSC certification logo, which indicates that at least 80% of the wood used was grown with environmental and humanistic standards in mind. Purchasing a recycled content label is a simple way to protect the environment and have a greener household without a single step. That’s because it means a substantial percentage of the product is made up of post-consumer waste. Avoid using flame retardants and formaldehyde which can be found in common household items like couches, cabinets, and mattresses. Chemicals like flame retardants and formaldehyde are linked to cancer. When shopping for environmentally-friendly furniture, make sure it’s free of these toxic substances. Hardwoods are preferable to softwoods; because hardwoods have less resin content, less processing is required before they’re ready for use in your home or office space.

Energy-Efficient Processes

The three main components of a piece of furniture are its frame, it’s covering, and any cushions or filling. While most furniture is made from wood or other organic materials, things like metal (such as cast iron) and plastic can also be used in some pieces.  All of these materials have different impacts on the environment depending on how they’re manufactured. If you’re looking for eco-friendly furniture, you’ll want to look for items that were created using energy-efficient processes. In addition, try to find out what kind of fuel was burned and whether those fuels were renewable or not—the best thing you can do is avoid products that create pollution at all stages of their creation. You should also pay attention to how long it takes to manufacture your furniture and whether that process contributes to climate change. 

Recycled, Reclaimed, Upcycled

There are several ways furniture can be eco-friendly, but it’s best to know what each of these terms means. Recycled furniture is created from materials that have already been used for another item. Reclaimed wood utilizes wood from older buildings or trees that have long since fallen. Upcycled furniture pieces take previously used items and turn them into something new. If you’re trying to go green with your home decor, then upcycling can be a good option for you. If a piece in your home was once part of something else, consider taking it apart and turning it into something new.

Conclusion

Since there are so many eco-friendly furniture companies to choose from, the most important thing is to do your research before you make your decision. Some companies make eco-friendly claims that can’t be verified, but others take a greater step toward environmental consciousness. IF you are interested in knowing more about this environmentally-friendly furniture, visit the website.

main photo: unsplash.com/Spacejoy

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