La fast Furniture - une ineptie

Fast Furniture - Nonsense

Furnishings, a new challenge for a cleaner and more virtuous sector.

 

Did you know that the furniture sector alone generates nearly 5% of global carbon emissions?

 

 

As in any industry, the furniture sector contributes to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

By analyzing transportation, sources of supply of raw materials (wood and its processing), the production of furniture in a linear (and not circular) system are often sources of great pollution.

It is important to be aware of this phenomenon

Unbridled consumption

For about ten years, the term fast furniture or disposable furniture has appeared in the lexicon.

In fact, the furniture market is flooded with very cheap products , designed with inferior materials and have an exceptionally short lifespan.

These pieces of furniture have a composition that is harmful to our health and the environment.

Given their very short lifespan, these pieces of furniture having no possible second life or being able to receive possible repairs, these items very often end up in landfills or are incinerated.

Their improper disposal also causes negative environmental impacts.

Raw materials; sources of supply.

Nonsense.

A large part of the felling of softwood (pine, spruce, fir, etc.) or oak, coming from European forests, is sold to the Asian market to be processed and then resold in Europe. A disastrous carbon footprint for a piece of furniture to reach the end customer. 

 

For decades, European furniture manufacturing, the crafts and sawmill sectors have been undermined by this unfair competition.

 

 

 

Despairing but not lost.

Faced with this absurd situation, Europe is reacting and must take strong action to address the issue of environmental challenges.

It is imperative to demand more transparency and traceability from manufacturers. We absolutely must favor local materials.

In the design process, it is essential to plan for furniture that will have a longer lifespan, that is designed with natural and certified materials and that is repairable.

One of the levers of decarbonization is the extension of the lifespan of furniture. This would have a strong impact on the reduction in the quantities of furniture produced.

Another lever would be to produce and relocate production and service locations, as close as possible to consumers.

This would generate ethical and local production: supporting manufacturers committed to a sustainable approach that respects workers.
This will enable us to obtain better quality products, meeting new consumer expectations.

Transparency of production and labels:

Sources of supply must be more readable:
- favor labels such as GOTS, FSC and OEKO-TEX for textiles,
- two labels for wood; FSC And PEFC.

Some European governments have a new objective of implementing environmental labelling.

However, it is not yet mandatory at European level.

This system will inform consumers of the environmental impact of the goods they want to buy.

Far too many people, even today, do not realize, or do not seek to know where the furniture they buy comes from.

In the following years, furniture producers will be required to display on their products:

  • Geographic traceability at the main stages of production
  • The amount of recycled material incorporated into the product
  • Product recyclability
  • greenhouse gas emissions,
  • damage to biodiversity,
  • consumption of water and other natural resources

Eco design and upcycling – the solution:


The latter, based in particular on the extension of the product, is an interesting vision of the sector.

For what ?

  • Extending the lifespan will lead to reduced use of natural resources.
  • The second-hand market sector is also beneficial for the environment and is already enjoying significant success.
  • The choice of quality materials in eco-design will allow long-term use, maintenance, repairs, and even reuse in the context of upcycling.
    This choice is not without consequences because it will relieve the incinerators full of non-dismountable or low-quality materials. Their destruction or burial generates significant pollution.

Conclusion :

The furniture industry can represent a real challenge for an economic and ecological model to preserve our ecosystem.

It will make it possible to relocate production within Europe, develop lost industrial and manual know-how and generate a significant amount of jobs.

Responsibility lies at European, national and also individual level.

Indeed, buying local products consciously, in smaller quantities and few designed by local companies with materials from re-use or approved local channels constitutes a strong commitment.

Companies like SAVVY Interior design that have strong environmental values ​​have taken matters into their own hands and decided to offer more sustainable alternatives for furniture and interior design.

We are proud to be able to collaborate with other companies that share the same values ​​as us.

Upcycling, the economy of the future.

www.savvy-interior.be

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