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Most of us care about our world. We consciously try to recycle, reduce pollution & plastics, and make efforts toward sustainable living — caring about the future of our planet — because we want our world to be around for future generations.
Choosing to invest in sustainable furniture means you’re choosing a product that’s been made from natural/renewable materials with minimal impact on the environment. But sustainable furniture can be pricey.
Sustainable living comes down to the choices we make.
Why is sustainable furniture worth the investment?
1. Longevity & Durability
Sustainable furniture is often built from resources that will last longer, like solid wood, steel, and renewable materials. The goal is to reduce waste and build products that are more durable than “fast fashion furniture” that hits the curb at the end of the season. By crafting furniture that is built to last, waste is reduced and furniture will be enjoyed for many years.
The Dorma Bed in Sage Green with Blush Piping and Maple Feet
2. Environmental Benefits
Sustainable furniture means that companies have made significant efforts to minimize pollution, reject chemical treatments, and vet their suppliers. Ensuring that suppliers are environmentally conscientious — with proper accreditation to support it — confirms that responsible sourcing, reforestation, and reduced pollution are being practiced.
Dorma Queen Bed in Fog Grey with Trundle in Tan Enviroleather
3. Ethical Benefits
Sustainable furniture companies not only focus on resources being ethically sourced, but they often also focus on ethical treatment of employees because accountability extends to all parts of the company. Fair labour practices (wages, conditions, benefits, etc.) for their workers are important (especially in smaller manufacturing companies) because the company’s success is directly affected by the work & wellbeing of the employees.
4. Safety Focused
Sustainable furniture that is certified for environmental safety practices is safer for you and your family. When you purchase sustainable furniture that has a list of accreditations, you can be assured that this furniture has been tested for your safety.
Here are safety labels to look for:
GREENGUARD Gold Certified — The product has been rigorously tested for chemical emissions and has low VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), contributing to better indoor air quality.
FSC — Wood that is FSC approved (Forest Stewardship Council) is wood that is certified sustainably sourced and actively re-planted; the supplier is independently audited to meet strict forest management standards.
LEED — When there is approval from the LEED rating system (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design), the components of the furniture (ie wood adhesives, glues & stains) do not contain harmful chemicals and are often water-based & biodegradable.
CertiPur — When foam is labeled “CertiPur”, it is made without formaldehyde, phthalate, mercury, lead & other heavy metals. It is also made without ozone depleters and is screened for flame retardants that are harmful to human health.
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 — This certifies that the textiles used on the furniture have been tested for over 1000 harmful substances and have passed the safety tests.
REACH Certified — REACH is a European designation that stands for “Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals”. This ensures that no hazardous chemicals were used in the manufacturing process of the textiles.
SFC — If a company is a member of the SFC, they are part of the “Sustainable Furnishings Council” — a membership that signals a dedication to sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
5. Better Quality
With all these efforts to produce environmentally friendly furniture, sustainable furniture is often higher in quality with a lot of attention to detail. A company who sources the best materials, uses wise environmental practices and crafts bench-made pieces is producing furniture that boasts superior quality that’s a lasting investment.
Grano Glider Recliner in Denim Blue with Walnut Base
From our supply chain to our manufacturing practices, Monte Design creates sustainable furniture that is beautiful and built to last.