BUYING GREEN FURNITURE
As a conscious consumer, you understand the importance of filling your eco-friendly home with green furniture. Whether someone in your household or business suffers from multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) or if you simply want to fill your space with beautiful furniture that is kind to people or the planet, shopping for sustainable furniture is a priority.
According to Scientific American, here are some of the questions to ask when shopping for green sofas.
Does the piece contain formaldehyde, flame retardants or stain resistant sprays? Is the fabric used certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard program (GOTS, which mandates that at least 70 percent of fibers are derived from organic sources and do not contain chemical dyes or other additives)? Is the wood used certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) as sustainably harvested? Does the piece contain any parts or pieces that come from bamboo or reclaimed wood or recycled metal or plastic? And is it easy to disassemble into reusable or recyclable parts if it needs to be replaced down the line?
WHAT'S INSIDE A TYPICAL SOFA
If you are interested in creating a clean and healthy home, it is critical to understand what the sources of toxins are in the products you buy so that you can make an informed choice the next time you are in the market for green furniture.
BEYOND GREENWASHING
green·wash /ˈɡrēnwôSH,ˈɡrēnwäSH/
Disinformation disseminated by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image.
Eco-conscious sustainability is built into EcoBalanza’s DNA and forms the foundation for every sofa, loveseat, chair, headboard and sectional we handcraft. We do not present ‘premium eco materials’ or a top tier ‘green’ option and then offer synthetic materials at a lower price, so you feel like those petroleum-based materials are somehow green, too. We do not advertise or pay for showroom space in major metropolitan areas. Our clients find us because they are looking for the most clean and conscious upholstered furniture in the world. The value of your investment with EcoBalanza does not go into “disinformation disseminated … to present an environmentally responsible public image.” It goes directly into your sofa.
Learn more about what makes us different.
RESOURCES
How to select safe fabrics for your new sofa