The furniture industry is something that often isn’t at the forefront of sustainability discussions. However, this multi-billion dollar industry is not always on the right side of ethical production and environmentally friendly practices either.
So, to make the quest for sustainable furniture a little easier, we have compiled a round-up of ethical furniture brands UK conscious consumers can love.
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What is fast furniture?
Many of us may be familiar with the fast fashion sector. Fast furniture operates with the same principles. It is an industry that relies on low-quality products that are sold at a low price, incorporating rapid and mass production as the foundation of the industry.
Many fast furniture products are made of unsustainable materials, including virgin plastics and wood sourced from illegal logging practices.
The amount of furniture that is being thrown away is also staggering. Nine million tons of furniture is discarded every year, an amount roughly equivalent to 5% of annual landfill waste.
The majority of furniture now rotting in landfill was made within the last fifteen years. A growing attitude of treating furniture as disposable, following rapidly changing trends and fads, is driving waste levels and fuelling an industry that creates low quality products with the aim of rapid repurchasing.
What to look for in ethical and sustainable furniture
Many of the same concepts that we talk about with sustainable fashion relate directly to sustainable and ethical furniture too. Ethical furniture brands in the UK consider every stage of production, from the materials to the overall durability of a product. While their furniture styles may differ, most sustainable brands operate with the same core values.
1. Sustainable materials
A major part of what makes furniture sustainable is the products it is made from. When looking for sustainable furniture look for brands using recycled and sustainable raw materials. This means recycled plastics and natural materials with sustainable certifications. Forest Stewardship Council certification is one to look out for when purchasing pieces made from wood.
2. Free from toxins
From toxic chemicals used in plastic production to the menagerie of toxins involved in leather tanning, many furniture pieces are exposed to toxins throughout production.
Many end finishes too, such as stain and water resistance used on fabrics and carpets contain PFAs. These are now shown to be highly toxic and even carcinogenic.
Sustainable brands reject this model. They reduce as much as possible, or eliminate entirely, toxins in their supply chain and on their finished products to ensure products offer less risk to both the environment and human health.
For more on this theme, check out our articles on non toxic mattresses and organic mattress toppers.
3. Fair supply chains
A product can’t be ethical if workers were mistreated along the supply chain. Supply chain transparency, ethical certifications from organisations such as Fair Trade, and robust policies for upholding workers’ rights are essential for an ethical company.
Many ethical and fair trade furniture makers are small businesses or artisan makers, further facilitating a safe work environment.
4. No harm to animals
A lot of furniture retailers use animal-based products such as wool and leather. While opting for certified vegan products is the best way to ensure no animals were harmed, companies that source materials with certifications such as Responsible Wool Standard are also a good place to start.
5. Minimal waste
Like with the fashion industry, as noted earlier, waste represents a core problem in the furniture sector. Ethical furniture brands look to minimise the waste they create. Innovative cutting techniques to reduce scraps, made-to-order production models, and take-back schemes are all things to look for when searching for sustainable furniture.
6. Recyclable
Ethical furniture manufacturers consider what will happen to their furniture pieces when they can no longer be used. This means ensuring that furniture can be recycled, either through take-back schemes, or other recycling programs, to help reduce waste from the industry.
7. Long-lasting and repairable
Much like fashion, if furniture needs to be rapidly replaced it can not only end up costing consumers more in the long run, but also poses a significant environmental issue.
The best eco-friendly furniture brands make products built to last and have practical ways that pieces can be repaired if they do break. This means that furniture can be kept for a long time.
Ethical furniture for UK consumers
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Whether you are wanting elegant designs, art deco home decor, or contemporary styles, these are the sustainable furniture brands we love making pieces for UK shoppers that need a new furniture update.
1. Nkuku
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: Mainly India
Price: £15 – £3,000
Sustainability creds: Some handmade products, use of some sustainable materials, charity partnerships, works with artisans
Nkuku creates furniture styles that are sophisticated and classic while still having a relaxed element. The brand uses natural materials, including leather and mango wood to create products that embrace an earthy vibe and that are built to stand the test of time.
Nkuku has made some steps towards becoming more sustainable. It has been conscious to try and limit its impact in its choice of materials, however, the use of, or more information regarding certified materials would be great to see.
2. Hay @ Selfridges
Based: Denmark Ships to: Worldwide (available through Selfridges)
Made in: Denmark, Portugal
Price: £6 – £2,000
Sustainability creds: FSC wood, EU Ecolabel, Nordic Swan Ecolabel, water based laquer, recycled materials
Danish brand Hay put good design at the heart of everything they do. Proving that function and beauty can go together, Hay creates chairs, sideboards, lighting, rugs and accessories that you will want in your home.
The designs from this Nordic brand invoke a sense of calm, coming in neutral tones, but with pops of colour to brighten any space and a modern twist on design.
Hay believes in creating pieces to last, reducing their environmental impact. They use sustainable materials such as FSC wood and are offering more and more eco-certified products.
3. Love Your Home
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide (20% tax saving outside EU)
Made in: UK
Price: £71 – £5,586
Sustainability creds: FSC-certified beech wood frames, fabric from European mills, tree planting, carbon neutral, showroom powered by wind
From classically designed luxurious sofas or Chesterfields with a modern touch, to sumptuous fabric covered beds and natural mattresses, Love Your Home has it all. With over 100 fabric choices available you will be able to design the sofa or bed of your dreams.
Carbon neutral Love Your Home uses timber from FSC-certified sources to make these stunning designs and all components are European.
Their Kate Watson-Smyth collection is even more sustainable including beautiful sofas and armchairs. It incorporates elements such as recycled chip foam, coconut fibre and recycled velvet covers.
4. Boori
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This post first appeared on Good Maker Tales: Sustainable & Ethical Fashion, please read the originial post: here
