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In the past, traditional furniture was built with durability in mind, in such a way that it could be passed down from generation to generation. Some pieces would last for hundreds of years! Unfortunately, nowadays, we live in a throw-away world where products are low-cost and mass-produced, using unsustainable materials. These items aren’t manufactured with any expectation that they will last a lifetime, and are actually predicted to be replaced regularly. Due to the production of “fast furniture” and other unsustainable products, our landfill sites are bursting at the seams, so it’s not a long term solution.
Of course, not all manufacturers ignore the environmental impact of their production; companies such as Delcor build with luxury in mind and go the extra mile to ensure our furniture stands the test of time so that it isn’t thrown away and replaced in the blink of an eye. We believe that eco-friendly furniture needn’t be boring and you can still incorporate style and sophistication into your home without harming the environment. Not only do our eco-friendly sofas, beds and other pieces of furniture reduce waste and conserve resources, they also allow you to cut costs in the future as you won’t have to replace your furniture as quickly.
Sustainable Materials
One of the components of eco-friendly furniture is the material that is used in manufacture. Simply put, it should be manufactured using sustainable materials that can be renewed rapidly. This doesn’t necessarily mean that all pieces of furniture need to be made with bamboo or hemp; sustainability also refers to how the materials are sourced. To elaborate, sourcing timber from unprotected forests is not eco-friendly because those trees won’t be replanted at the same speed at which they’re being felled. On the other hand, timber harvested from a self-sufficient forest or recycled from old pieces of furniture would be classed as eco-friendly because it is more sustainably sourced. What’s more, any chemicals used in production should not pollute or harm the environment.
Using sustainable materials allows us to preserve natural resources for future generations, and Mother Earth in general, but that doesn’t mean comfort or style needs to be compromised. Delcor offers a refurbishment service, including restoration, reupholstering and generally refreshing your bespoke sofas and luxury armchairs, which is an eco-friendly solution and also more cost-efficient. Up-cycling your furniture is green living at its finest! It keeps rubbish out of landfills and reduces carbon emissions. Sometimes all it takes is a little imagination and your furniture can look as good as new.
Limited Carbon Footprint
When it comes to eco-friendly furniture, very little packaging should be used and there should be minimal carbon footprint when delivering the furniture. While it might be cheaper to buy a sofa or another piece of furniture that has been manufactured in China or another country across the globe, the carbon emissions caused by delivery are colossal. What’s more, buying from abroad won’t allow you to support a local business, so it’s a win-win situation.
At Delcor, we source our timber for our hardwood frames in the UK and craft at our own manufacturing establishment in Northumberland to limit our carbon footprint. As well as being kinder to the environment, this also allows us to focus on superior quality and prepare a frame that suits your specific requirements.
Durability
Durability should be a key focus when manufacturing eco-friendly furniture. Sustainable products should be built to last so that they are less likely to be disposed of in a shorter time frame. Essentially, having durable, premium quality furniture means that fewer energy resources and raw materials will be used to produce new furniture. There will be less pollution from the production of new furniture, as well as the transportation and disposal.
When choosing new furniture, be sure to think about the available space in your home. Delcor appreciates that a “one size fits all” approach isn’t particularly helpful, which is why we offer bespoke, handmade products that suit your exact specifications. Every piece of Delcor furniture is made to measure to ensure complete satisfaction. As a result, you will be less likely to want to replace your ill-fitting sofa in a few years’ time. In fact, we offer a 50-year guarantee because we are that confident that your Delcor furniture will keep you happy for decades.
So, as you can see, there are multiple elements to eco-friendly furniture, but the main goal is to reduce waste and limit the consumption of non-renewable resources. Buying eco-friendly furniture is very rewarding and there are still a vast array of styles to choose from. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or visit one of our fantastic showrooms across the UK. We’d be more than happy to help you find the most suitable addition to your home!