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Design: Three-D Conceptwerke
Unlike electrical appliances or bathroom fixtures, green rating systems are not easily applied to the furniture category. But choosing eco-friendly furniture need not be a complicated affair. Here are some guidelines on selecting a piece that is both comfortable and environmentally friendly.
1. Choose certified sustainable wood
Tree-huggers need no longer feel guilty about buying wooden furniture now that more companies are sourcing their timber from sustainably harvested forests and tree farms. Ask your furniture retailer if the furniture they carry are made from wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). As the world’s most reputable forest certification scheme, the FSC certification ensures that products come from responsibly managed forests.
2. Reclaim history
A good piece of wood can last a long time if given proper care. In recent years, designers have come up with creative ways to give old timber from furniture and buildings a second lease of life by turning them into new pieces.
3. Consider unusual materials
Do you shudder at the thought of sitting on a chair made from plastic bottles or scrap metal? With the latest technologies, you need not sacrifice your comfort for green principals. For example, the famous ICON Chair by Philippe Starck is not only beautiful, but is actually made from 80 per cent recycled aluminium.
4. Avoid toxins
Furniture made from manufactured wood products, such as particleboard and plywood, contain formaldehyde glues, which is best avoided. Instead choose a piece that is untreated or treated with natural wood finishes. For upholstery, opt for naturally tanned leather or organic cotton.
5. Buy local
Have you ever wondered how far a piece of furniture needs to travel around the world before it arrives on your doorstep fully assembled? As with the trend of eating local, shopping local can help reduce your carbon footprint.
6. Take the cradle to grave approach
The less complicated the design is, the easier it is to repair. The more classic its form, the more likely it will withstand the ebb and flow of different trends. At the end of its life cycle, an eco-friendly furniture piece should be easily unassembled, sorted into its constituent parts and recycled.