Is it just me, or does it seem like the quality of new furniture has significantly declined in recent years? I fondly remember the days when antique furniture pieces were cherished heirlooms, passed down through generations! For instance, I own a beautiful hutch that belonged to my grandmother—still sturdy and reliable after all these years!
However, when I browse furniture stores today, most pieces feel flimsy, lightweight, and not built to withstand the test of time. So, what exactly is happening in the furniture industry? The culprit is fast furniture, my friends! In this article, we will delve into the meaning of fast furniture and explore the environmental impact it leaves behind. Let’s get started!
In This Article:
- What is fast furniture?
- What are the issues with fast furniture?
- How to choose sustainable furniture?
- What alternatives exist to fast furniture?
What is fast furniture?
Fast furniture is defined as low-cost furniture designed for short-term use, typically lasting just a few years at most. It is often manufactured from cheaper, plastic-based materials. While the price point is appealing, fast furniture carries significant environmental consequences.
As noted by The Spruce, the rise of fast furniture was largely a response to a new generation of consumers who—unlike their predecessors—are far more mobile. Nowadays, many of us frequently move from home to home (or rental to rental) while feeling the desire to constantly refresh our home decor.
To put things into perspective, globally, we purchase furniture at a rate equivalent to the entire annual economic output of Sweden—an astonishing $18,000 USD every second!
Social media platforms have acted as catalysts for this trend. I often come across TikTok and Instagram posts showcasing home redesigns, where individuals transform their spaces simply out of boredom or a desire for change. While everyone has the right to refresh their home, discarding perfectly functional furniture just for a new look is not sustainable for our planet!
In response to our demand for more affordable furniture, brands like IKEA and Wayfair have eagerly stepped in to meet those needs. What frustrates me is that these companies rely on a cycle of consumers constantly purchasing cheap, disposable furniture. We buy something inexpensive, it breaks, and we find ourselves back at IKEA for a replacement within a year. This cycle continues indefinitely. Instead of offering repair services, these brands prefer that we keep buying new items. It’s built into their business model.
Moreover, with the various materials available today (some natural, some synthetic), proper disposal can be confusing, leading a lot of furniture to end up in landfills. In fact, the EPA estimates that Americans toss out over 12 million tons of furniture each year! That is staggering!
But that’s not the only concern I have regarding fast furniture…
What are the issues with fast furniture?
While the negative impacts of fast furniture can vary depending on the specific item (considering things like a couch versus a pillow), the disadvantages overwhelmingly outweigh any advantages. The consequences of fast furniture extend from human rights violations to substantial contributions to landfill waste.
Deforestation
Old-growth forests globally are being decimated due to the fast furniture industry. Each year, approximately 7 billion trees are felled without being replaced; wood is a finite resource! While some companies claim they replant trees, these replacements are often monoculture plantations, which are far from sustainable, as restoring a forest to its original state can take decades. This is why opting for FSC-certified wood is crucial (more on certifications later).
Supply chain issues & Human rights abuses
North America and Europe enforce stricter manufacturing laws, but in countries like India, China, and Bangladesh, serious supply chain issues persist. Workers in these regions may face exposure to toxic chemicals, receive inadequate wages, or find themselves in perilous working conditions. As eco-conscious consumers, we must remain vigilant about accountability and transparency in the supply chain.
Water use
You might be surprised to learn that producing fast furniture requires a significant amount of water. A large portion of this occurs during the dyeing process, especially if the furniture has fabric components. To give you an idea, it takes about 22 gallons of water to produce just one pound of plastic. Can you imagine how much water is consumed for all this plastic-based furniture?
Pollution
Unfortunately, fast furniture and toxic pollution go hand in hand. The new couch you just bought is likely filled with polyurethane foam, a highly toxic material that can emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into your home. Additionally, many fast furniture items contain flame retardants, such as PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), which can release toxic dust into your environment. PBDEs have even been detected in breast milk, raising serious health concerns.
If you are a new or expectant parent, it’s particularly important to be aware of PBDEs, as they can have detrimental effects on children’s health. I share tips on minimizing exposure to PBDEs in my article on sustainable couches!
Waste
With most fast furniture made from plastic, the waste problem becomes increasingly urgent. Plastic can take decades to decompose and may release microplastics and harmful chemicals into the environment during the breakdown process. For instance, approximately 94% of rugs are made from plastic materials like polypropylene, which can persist in the environment for an extended period if not disposed of correctly.
Speaking of rugs, do you recall that distinctive smell new rugs often emit? That odor is likely due to VOCs such as benzene, toluene, and 4-PC being off-gassed from the product. Choosing non-toxic rugs is a much healthier option.
Global warming
Ultimately, the plastic and synthetic materials used in fast furniture are derived from fossil fuels like oil and gas, both of which significantly contribute to global warming. The extraction and processing of oil releases substantial amounts of carbon dioxide—the most prevalent greenhouse gas—into our atmosphere. This trapped carbon dioxide leads to severe climate changes, resulting in more frequent droughts, hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes.
How to choose sustainable furniture?
Avoiding unsustainable furniture options can feel daunting, especially if you’re on a tight budget. However, I assure you that there are stylish, sustainable options available that won’t drain your wallet.
Here are some criteria and brands to consider when decorating your space sustainably:
1. Natural or organic fabrics & materials
Always prioritize the most sustainable materials available! For furniture, this means seeking out bamboo, organic cotton, wool, silk, hemp, reclaimed wood, and upcycled fabrics. Steer clear of harmful substances like formaldehyde, Acetaldehyde, Vinyl Acetate, Benzene, PBDEs, stain-repellent treatments, and polyurethane foam!
If the material is plastic-based (such as particleboard), it’s preferable that it’s made partially or wholly from recycled materials. It’s certainly better than nothing! When in doubt, look for sustainable material certifications:
- Better Cotton Standard
- Bluesign
- Fair Trade
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- Oeko-Tex 100
- Organic Content Standard (OCS)
- USDA-Certified Organic
Purchasing products with these certifications can help you avoid greenwashing and make more informed choices!
2. Ethical sourcing
This aspect pertains to the practices and standards a brand upholds throughout its supply chain and operations. In this regard, I ask questions like: How were the textiles produced? Were the workers compensated fairly? Were high labor standards enforced? Ethical sourcing is extremely important.
3. Corporate Responsibility
Lastly, we must consider a brand’s corporate responsibility (CR), which encompasses its social, economic, and environmental impacts. When evaluating a brand’s CR, look for initiatives such as carbon offsets, biodiversity conservation, and plastic-free shipping. If a company is a certified B Corporation, that’s an excellent indication of good corporate responsibility.
What alternatives exist to fast furniture?
Some companies are actively working to close the loop on the fast furniture cycle from factory to landfill. For instance, Green Standards has developed programs that allow you to donate, resell, or recycle old office furniture. To date, they have successfully resold and diverted over $15 million worth of office furniture and equipment!
Habitat for Humanity is another organization worth considering (one I personally support). In Canada, many Habitat for Humanity locations offer pickup services for furniture donations, as well as other large items like appliances and building materials. Your donated furniture is taken to the Habitat ReStore, where it’s sold to someone in your community who will give it a new lease on life. Proceeds from these sales help fund affordable housing for families, making it a fantastic program to support.
Thrifting furniture is also a great option! You can not only donate items to your local thrift store, but you can also discover hidden treasures, including sustainable lighting! If you’re not keen on going out, I have a few favorite online secondhand furniture shops that provide excellent alternatives to Amazon.
Lastly, consider renting your furniture! Why invest in new pieces that you may only need for a short time? If you plan to live in a location for less than a year, I highly recommend renting furniture from sites like CORT or Feather.
A final word on fast furniture
I hope this article has helped you realize that embracing sustainable home decor is entirely achievable! Fast furniture is not your only option, even if you’re on a budget; consider exploring thrift stores or visiting your local Habitat for Humanity the next time you need a new furniture piece. Remember, living a more sustainable lifestyle is about making progress rather than striving for perfection. Best of luck on your journey!
Bir yanıt yazın