Sustainability is a common buzzword within modern marketing, to the point where it’s almost a pandering cliché or a gimmick. Many companies claim to embrace sustainability, and this manifests in different ways, depending on how seriously the concept is taken. In the best of cases, however, it’s much more than just a slogan and is truly encapsulated in everything surrounding a product and a product line. This means products that are built to last, and in a way that’s great for both the buyer and the environment. It’s not enough for them to exist, however, and being able to find sustainable furniture pieces is a vital part of decorating a home a putting this aspect of craftsmanship at the top of the industry’s mind.
When Sustainability Isn’t Sustainable – Or “Eco-Unfriendly”
There have been countless attempts by various companies and corporations to be eco-friendlier and more sustainable, with there being many middling results among these efforts. For instance, H&M once boasted its “Conscious Collection” of clothing items, but this moniker couldn’t have been any more of a misnomer. Many of the items were actually more synthetic than the regular line, and their production had a major environmental impact. There was also the “Clean Diesel” campaign from Volkswagen, which backfired immensely during the automotive company’s 2015 emissions scandal.
Within the furniture industry, the problem of “fast furniture” is just as problematic as fast fashion. This involves furniture pieces made from low-quality, disposable materials that are largely synthetic in origin. There’s very little in terms of repairable craftsmanship that goes into the production of these pieces, though harmful chemicals are usually par for the course. The result is furniture that’s meant to be mindlessly discarded whenever it quickly and inevitably breaks down, usually filling as many landfills as living rooms. Despite this, there are many false claims of sustainability for these items, with companies realizing the marketing potential of this branding.
True Sustainability is More Than Just a Gimmick
Thankfully, companies such as East at Main take sustainability very seriously. From tables to décor, these items are responsibly sourced from various countries in a way that uplifts their local communities instead of exploiting them. As a result, they’re handcrafted by generations of trained artisans, avoiding the “fast furniture” waste of other items. Part of this involves the materials the pieces are made from, with the furniture using unique parts such as raffia. Instead of allowing these to be discarded, they’re used to make unique, eclectic pieces that are unlike anything else in the furniture market.
Substances such as acacia and rattan are far different from many wastefully harvested materials used to create furniture. Unlike inorganic substances, these are 100% biodegradable while usually avoiding more toxic chemical additives. Likewise, because of how rapidly they grow, and the minimal impact needed to source them, it’s far better for the environment to take from this renewable resource. On top of all this, rattan items are made to last, ensuring that they’ll spend far more time sprucing up a home instead of being in a dumpster somewhere. This keeps things both economical and eco-friendly, making sustainability a way of life instead of a contrived stunt.
Sustainable Furniture Pieces and Where to Find Them
Believe it or not, there actually is something in the way of a “seal of approval” for sustainable furniture and décor. This can be found out by looking for certifications such as FSC, TSCA, or whether the item has a Prop 65 warning for the state of California. These not only make it clear that the items use sustainable, renewable materials, but also inform buyers of any particular chemicals used in the creation of these pieces that they might need to be aware of. This allows buyers to have a direct impact on their own health (in the case that certain materials or chemicals are problematic for them) while also voting with their wallets by supporting furniture companies that make this info readily available.
Another factor in finding sustainable products is the material being used, and anything cheap, synthetic, or made to be disposable simply won’t pass the eco test. Instead, opt for pieces constructed from natural solid wood, bamboo, or rarer substances such as rattan. Again, these avoid the cheap plastic and easily broken nature of fast furniture, all while supporting the environment and local artisans who source them. By buying things that are meant to last, consumers help make sustainable furniture the only real name in the game.
Look for full transparency in what the items are made of and where they’re from for further reassurance that a fashionable new furniture piece is as green as possible, regardless of the shade. Packaging and shipping practices also play a big part in sustainability, with flat-packed furniture cutting down on both shipping space and fuel/transportation costs. Lastly, the companies involved play a big part in embracing sustainability, and ones whose brand story ties into how the items are sustainably sourced and ethically made usually aren’t just saying these things for show. Research the impact they make on both the environments they pull from and the communities they work with and be sure to only patronize companies that take all this into account in order to craft truly worthy furniture.
East at Main’s Sustainable Products
East at Main boasts a bevy of sustainable and stylish pieces that both look good in a home and are good for the environment. Sustainability is part of the brand culture and entwined like so many threads of rattan – so it’s a good thing East at Main offers so many pieces made of this material. From tables to chairs, the unique plant works as a great alternative to wicker and wood while adding coastal, almost tropical vibes to any environment. Raffia and abaca are both in the same boat, with the Francine 57” Banana Leaf Double Bench effortlessly adding a touch of the British Colonial aesthetic while being handwoven tor sturdy perfection.
Seagrass and water hyacinth are other sustainable materials that pull from nature, with these growing rapidly and being able to be processed into multiple products in a way that reduces waste. The results are something truly stunning and stand out, with the Soren Rectangular Braided Seagrass 19" Side Table having a plaited aesthetic that’s far more visually interesting (and environmental) than a boring block of grey wood or plastic. While their appearances might be the main selling points for these pieces, in the end, it’s the sustainable materials and sourcing methods that really make the difference. By pulling from nature in a way that’s natural and ethical, East at Main can deliver pieces that display organic elegance while giving back as much as they take.
