Although, the terms “organic”, “sustainability” and “eco-friendly” are appreciated in medicine and food, the same principles are rarely placed on the furniture and decorative items. It is also true that a lot of furniture is made with toxic materials and unhealthy finishes. The bed we sleep on, the sofas and couches, are made with chemicals and materials that are harmful to our health and environment. The good news is that several manufacturers are producing various sustainable products, with methods and procedures that save energy and do not pollute the environment.
- One of the leading companies in eco-friendly furniture is Cisco- Brothers. The goal of the company is to build furniture that is made from the finest organic and sustainable resources. The company has developed an alternative method (named green technology) of building items made entirely from Natural Latex, organic wool, organic goose feathers and down. These natural materials are inherently flame retardant and hypo-allergic. According to Cisco-Brothers, the worst offender in modern furniture production is found in the cushions and pillows. These items are filled with foam that is sprayed with a chemical flame retardant called Chlorinated Tris. The major flow of flame retardants is that they often don't stay in the foam, but they are pumped out into our homes and environments. Instead of foam, Cisco-Brothers uses Natural Latex (not to be confused with synthetic latex), an inherently hypo-allergic, antimicrobial, renewable and biodegradable material that naturally resists mold and dust mites.
Another alternative material is the organic wool. Expert sheep shippers ensure that the process is as quick and painless as possible. Beyond all the naturally beneficial elements that pure wool brings (it acts as a natural air purifier, is resistant to mold and mildew, keeps cool in the summer and warm in the winter), it can pass all of the fire tests that chemically treated foams must pass.
Albi Chair, by Cisco brothers.
- Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams is an eco-friendly company that has infused eco-friendly initiatives into the materials, manufacturing and workplace- from extensive recycling to decreased energy consumption, increased paperless communication and investment in innovative machinery to reduce material waste and increase manufacturing efficiency. Even the shipping cartons are made from recycled materials and they are 100% recyclable. The frames are constructed using biodegradable glue, then screwed and corner blocked for structural integrity. Wood frames are sourced from local, domestic suppliers compliant with US forestry requirements for harvest and reforestation. Exotic, exposed wood parts may be sourced from international sources but are certified to be sustainably harvested. Back pillows include recycled fibers that were once plastic bottles. Springs and mechanisms are made from a minimum of 65% of recycled metal. Foam is earth friendly and contains soy in the parts used throuout the back and arm padding. Finally, seat cushions are Ozon friendly, contain soy, and foam wrapped in 100% regenerated fibers.
Cara leather swivel chair by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Discover more eco-friendly furniture companies/ Companies with EFEC registered facilities (Enhancing Furniture's Environmental Culture)
Discover more eco-friendly furniture manufacturers: http://sustainablebydesign.us/efec.aspx
Guidelines and certification programs
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