Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Buying Sustainable Furniture
Similar to the current trend of "fast fashion" in the clothing industry, the furniture industry has been forced to rethink its audience and purpose. It's all too easy to find furniture that is light, easy to move, and typically won't withstand more than a couple years of use, with a friendly price tag to match. People are more mobile than ever before, moving homes more in a decade than previous generations did in a lifetime. The convenience of purchasing inexpensive throw-away furniture comes at the cost of depleting resources and filing landfills. An easy alternative to this is to buy quality secondhand furniture and thankfully, there are a variety of ways to do this.
While some furniture touts itself as "sustainable", using quick-growing bamboo or recycled materials, if it doesn't hold up, then it's not really sustainable. Creating more demand is not solving the environmental problems it claims to alleviate. Buying vintage furniture that is made of real wood and could potentially last a lifetime (or longer), however, is much more sustainable. It's also helpful to buy versatile pieces that could be used in a variety of ways around the home. For instance, a simple (but well made) two door storage cupboard could begin its life in your home as a bar cabinet, be reincarnated as linen storage in a bathroom, make a fine console near your front door, or be used as a small server in the kitchen.
Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are excellent options for budget-conscious buyers, while higher end retailers on Chairish or 1stDibs have more curated "statement" pieces and also make for a more comprehensive shopping experience. Either way, it's important to think long-term and imagine the aesthetic that you would like to achieve, only buying if it's something you will love for years to come. Not to mention, these items won't be something that can be purchased just anywhere, they exude history and character. These sites also offer a way to sell your furniture when you're ready to get rid of it.
Before buying secondhand, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. First, it's important to know the condition of the item and ensure that it is stable enough for its intended use. Second, it may be necessary to get quotes or contact third-party contractors, either for shipping, reupholstery, refinishing, repair, etc. Avoid making a purchase that's going to be a fixer-upper if you don't have the resources to complete the project, or thinking something is a "steal" if the shipping costs are prohibitive.
There are lots of ways to be more eco-friendly when purchasing furniture and it doesn't have to be all or nothing. If you find buying new furniture unavoidable, check to make sure it isn't made with any species of trees that are endangered, see if it will be easily recycled at the end of its life, or consider how to reduce your carbon footprint in other ways.
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