Did you know that simply choosing the right furniture can reduce your environmental impact? Incorporating reused furniture is the first step towards a sustainable lifestyle. In this article, we'll introduce the appeal of eco-friendly reused furniture and give you some tips on how to enjoy a sustainable lifestyle.
The relationship between sustainable living and furniture
Furniture plays an important role in our daily lives. From the moment we wake up in the morning until we go to sleep at night, we are surrounded by a variety of furniture, including tables, chairs, beds, and storage furniture. However, little is known about the environmental impact of producing and disposing of this furniture.
The furniture industry is one of the industries that consumes a large amount of natural resources, including wood. The manufacturing of new furniture requires a lot of energy and resources, including the harvesting, processing, and transportation of wood. Furthermore, much of the furniture that is no longer needed ends up in landfills, where it not only takes up valuable land but also generates greenhouse gases during its decomposition.
Reusing furniture is gaining attention as a sustainable solution to these environmental issues. Reusing existing furniture can breathe new life into it, promoting resource circulation and significantly reducing the burden on the environment.
The environmental benefits of reused furniture
1. Waste Reduction
Approximately 6 million tons of furniture and wooden products are discarded in Japan every year. Choosing to reuse furniture prevents this furniture from being sent to landfills and directly contributes to reducing waste. Even reusing just one chair or one table can reduce waste.
2. Curbing new resource consumption
Manufacturing new furniture requires a variety of resources, including wood, metal, fabric, and plastic. In the case of wood in particular, deforestation due to logging leads to the destruction of ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity. By using reused furniture, you can reduce the consumption of these new resources and contribute to the preservation of the global environment.
3. Reducing CO2 emissions during manufacturing and transportation
New furniture consumes a lot of energy and emits CO2, from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing and transportation. Furniture produced overseas in particular must be transported long distances to reach Japan, emitting even more CO2 in the process. Reused furniture does not require these additional manufacturing and transportation processes, so its carbon footprint is significantly smaller.
4. Vintage charm and durability
Reused furniture, especially vintage furniture, offers a unique quality and durability that modern mass-produced items lack. Furniture that has been in use for decades is a testament to its quality and can be enjoyed for many years to come. It's a sustainable alternative to our disposable culture.
The relationship between reused furniture and SDGs
There are several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that reused furniture can contribute to.
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production <br>Choosing reused furniture directly contributes to ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. Reused furniture is perfectly aligned with this goal, which promotes efficient use of resources and waste reduction.
- Goal 13: Take concrete action to combat climate change <br>As mentioned above, reused furniture emits less CO2 than new furniture and contributes to combating climate change.
- Goal 15: Life on land <br>Reducing demand for new timber contributes to forest conservation, which in turn contributes to protecting ecosystems and maintaining biodiversity.
Tips for incorporating reused furniture
Here are some tips to help you incorporate reused furniture as part of a sustainable lifestyle.
1. Determine quality
When choosing reusable furniture, make sure it is structurally sound. For wooden furniture, check that the joints are solid and that the wood does not have any deep scratches or warping. It is also important to check that the metal parts are free of rust and the fabric is free of scuffs and tears.
2. Choose a simple design
Furniture with a simple design is less susceptible to trends and can be used for a long time. It is also easy to combine with other furniture, which has the advantage of being easy to adapt to changes in the interior.
3. Care and repair habits
Regular maintenance is essential to make reused furniture last longer. Wooden furniture should be waxed several times a year, and fabric furniture should be cleaned regularly. You can also extend the life of your furniture by repairing small scratches and defects as soon as possible.
4. Enjoy the story
Each piece of reused furniture has its own history and story. One of the joys of using reused furniture is imagining where it has been used and what kind of people's lives it has supported. By using the furniture while feeling the stories that reside within it, you will likely develop an even stronger attachment to it.
Find your own reused furniture on Fynd
We would like to introduce you to Fynd , an online shop that offers high-quality reused furniture to help you live a sustainable lifestyle. Fynd offers a wide selection of carefully selected vintage and reused furniture, allowing you to create a sophisticated interior while making environmentally friendly choices.
Fynd's recommended products
1. Salon Chair Greggio Massimo
This luxurious salon chair with a Kinkazan pattern is handcrafted by Italian artisans, and its beautifully curved cat legs and carvings create a classic, antique atmosphere. The detailed carvings and beautiful armrests are also noteworthy. We recommend pairing it with a stool or ottoman. The antique finish means each chair has a unique look.
2. Storage Stool, Morijan, Joseon Dynasty Furniture
This small stool with storage is a type of traditional Korean furniture called Morijang. Joseon furniture is characterized by the beauty of its wood grain and metal fittings, and its unique appearance exudes an exotic atmosphere yet somehow exudes a familiarity.
Despite its compact size, it has storage space and can be used as a subtle piece of interior decor in tight spaces such as the entrance.
3. Ottoman by Karimoku Furniture / SELUNO
This ottoman is crafted from high-quality oak and genuine leather from Karimoku, and the seat is sturdy. It can be used as a footrest for your sofa or as an extra chair for guests. Its soft, rounded design makes it a lovely piece.
What you can do today to build a sustainable future
Choosing to reuse furniture is the first step towards a more sustainable lifestyle, but it's also about making choices in your everyday life that contribute to a greener future.
For example, it is important to have the awareness of "valuing things," such as finding ways to make furniture last longer, passing it on to the next person when it is no longer needed, and breathing new life into it through repairs and renovations.
When thinking about the interior design of your room, it is also important to choose a design that is timeless and can be used for a long time. Making choices that consider not only the present but also the future will ultimately lead to a reduction in the burden on the environment.
Living a sustainable lifestyle isn't difficult. Small, everyday choices add up to big changes. Why not start by incorporating reusable furniture and explore your own sustainable lifestyle?
Visit our online store, Fynd , to find the right repurposed furniture for your lifestyle. Sustainable choices can help you enrich your life.
