By Amanda Schroeder of F3LL Magazine
with later additions written by the team at the Amish Furniture Factory
Sustainable Furniture and Ethical Home Décor are more than just marketing terms.
Manufacturers and the environment have suffered, and continue to suffer, in the production of once-meaningful household assets that are subsequently disrespected, and frequently disposed of by inconsiderate means.
Something has to change, and a movement is under way that is attempting to bring back moderation in the use of natural resources, consideration of the effects on the surrounding environment, respect to the artisans on whose skills we depend, and ultimately love for the finished product.
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Since before recorded history, humans have produced furniture and homewares to improve our lives and the environment around us.
This desire to make our homes beautiful and meaningful is part of what makes us human. Curating a beautiful home is a great way to increase happiness, relieve stress, and live a more conscientious life. Moreover, establishing ourselves in our homes allows us to feel a sense of belonging in the space around us, encouraging us to invest in the communities we live in.
But how can we be proud of our homes if the creation of the furniture and homeware inside them is harmful to the Earth and other humans?
The Need for Ethical and Sustainable Furniture: Sustainability in the Home Goods Industry
The Historical Division of Ethics and Furniture
As with almost every industry, the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s profoundly altered the furniture industry, moving the industry from a focus on slow, one-off production into something cheaper, faster, and trendier.
Before the Industrial Revolution, furniture was made using the materials in the immediately surrounding environment and was crafted by skilled community artisans, then sold to households nearby. Furniture was pricey, but it lasted a lifetime and was passed between generations. The Industrial Revolution turned the focus away from small, local artisans to huge factories where furniture could be mass-produced for widespread distribution.
We now realize this consumer cycle is not sustainable, as materials are used faster than they can be sustainably harvested. They’re then thrown away to rot in landfills longer than they were ever used in the home, especially considering that the cheapest furniture is constructed using plastics and MDFs, which take a long time to decompose and have a toxic effect on the environment.
Working Conditions Around the World
The furniture and home goods industry is also infamous for poor working conditions and shockingly low wages. Employees are also often subjugated to dangerous environments with little hazard insurance. Major furniture retailers have moved their factories to Asia and Eastern Europe, where paying workers low-wages under hazardous conditions goes mostly unscrutinized.
In the last few decades, a large portion of global factory manufacturing moved into China, where wages are kept low by hiring migrant workers with few other opportunities. China has become notorious as a cheap place to outsource production, and infamous for the low quality of life of the factory workers.
The manufacturing industry in China continues to grow year over year and wages for workers have gone up as well, though manufacturing workers often still live in poverty and work long hours. According to InTouch, a publication run by AQF, manufacturing workers’ wages have gone up approximately 12% a year since 2001.
Unfortunately, these wage increases have encouraged manufacturers to move elsewhere. Recently, the manufacturing of furniture has moved into Vietnam and other southeast Asian countries, where worker wages are even lower than China’s.
Factory workers in China and South East Asia are also subjected to more extreme and dangerous working conditions than their global counterparts. Chinese factory employees work much longer hours than their Western counterparts, and they are 3x more likely to die on the job than American factory workers. Chinese factory workers are also usually dependent on government healthcare, which does not meet what would be considered basic healthcare in other parts of the world.
Additionally, working with woods, ceramics, plastics, and MDFs all negatively impact air quality. The associated air pollutants are considered mostly harmless when exposure is short and minimal, but become dangerous when spending 40+ hours a week in conditions where these materials are manufactured en masse.
Hope for Furniture’s Sustainable Future
Luckily, regulations both from governments and independent agencies have emerged to create guidelines for safe and sustainable practices in the manufacturing of furniture and other home goods. Furthermore, just as is happening in the fashion industry, there is an increasing number of brands that evalu1ate and own their role in creating sustainable products. These brands emphasize transparency and place it at the core of their businesses.
Our role as consumers is to educate ourselves on what materials and practices are best for the environment and people, then opt for companies that put these values at the front of their business models. By doing this, we are not only supporting businesses that care for the environment and others. We are encouraging businesses that do not engage in socially conscientious practices to change their ways or die out.
What to Look for When Shopping for Furniture
Wood
Where and how wood is harvested has a profound impact on deforestation, biodiversity, and human welfare. Forests are being depleted at an alarming rate. In the last 50 years, approximately 17% of the Amazon rainforest has been depleted. This mass deforestation, in the Amazon and across the world, violently disrupts the lives of plants, animals, and people living in these forests and also has a massive impact on our ability to halt climate change.
Though furniture production only accounts for some of the deforestation, it is important to pay attention to the origins of the wood products in our home to avoid contributing to this distressing problem.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the premier certification for sustainable wood harvesting. To achieve FSC certification, the sourcing and harvesting method of the wood must meet high standards for sustainability. An FSC certification is a widely used and internationally recognized certification, so there is no short supply of FSC certified wood products.
Another great way to avoid contributing to deforestation with your homeware items is to opt for more sustainable materials, such as bamboo. Bamboo regenerates quickly and can be used to make beautiful high-quality and eco-friendly furniture.
Key Takeaways for Sustainable Furniture
- Look for wood furniture with an FSC certification
- Opt for sustainable alternatives to classic wood, such as bamboo
- Avoid MDF and plywood where possible
MDF and Plywood
The use of MDF, also known as particleboard, is a controversial topic in the furniture industry today. Major retailers like IKEA and brands sold on big retailers such as Amazon and Target are often made from MDF. MDF stands for medium-density fibreboard. You’re probably familiar with it – it’s the lightweight, sort-of wood, sort-of plastic material you see on a lot of inexpensive furniture. It is a cheaply made building material similar in use and strength to plywood, which makes it ideal for making strong yet inexpensive furniture.
Unfortunately, this does not come without implications for human health.
MDF uses formaldehyde as an adhesive. Though formaldehyde is safe in small portions, there is little information on how continued off-gassing fumes could contribute to your health in the long run. The cheaper the furniture, the more likely it will release more formaldehyde into the air, considering that low-formaldehyde glues tend to be more expensive.
Another consideration for MDF, as well as plywood, is that it requires more energy to process than traditional lumbar, though it’s still better than processing plastics. This is because it needs to be broken down, dried, mixed with adhesives then heated and pressed into panels. This is a lot more processing than used to make solid wood products.
MDF is becoming progressively harder to avoid as it is used more frequently in furniture manufacturing, even in what might be considered sustainable furniture. It is important to remember that not all MDFs are created equally. Some are even made of recycled materials and low-formaldehyde adhesives. As a general rule, cheaper MDF materials contain higher amounts of formaldehyde in their adhesives.
The price of the MDF materials does not directly correspond with the price of the final product, however. Before purchasing an item with MDF, contact the retailer for information on where and how the furniture was made and what sorts of certification or warning their furniture holds. Where possible, avoid MDF or look for furniture that only uses it as components of the final product.
Key Takeaways for Sustainable Furniture
- Look for furniture that is not made with MDF or plywood.
- If you do end up purchasing furniture made with MDF, look for MDF made with low-formaldehyde adhesives. Most retailers, and any worth shopping with, will get this information from the manufacturer if you request it.
- If you do purchase MDF furniture and it arrives smelling “off” or strong, leave it outside until the smell dissipates. The majority of off-gassing occurs early in the product’s life-cycle. Purchasing MDF materials second-hand is also less likely to cause air quality issues in your home.
Textiles
The furniture and homeware industry is also subject to similar problems as the fashion industry. Textile waste is a major contributor to waste in the furniture industry. The non-organic cotton industry is a large source of pollution in soil and waterways. Cotton is also a water-intensive crop, making it inefficient to plant en masse for production. Cotton also happens to be one of the most commonly used textiles in furniture and home products.
If you are going to buy furniture or textiles made with cotton, opt for organic cotton. Organic cotton is grown without harmful chemicals, which is not only safer for you but also keeps the soil, water, and air healthy. Organic cotton produces close to half the amount of carbon emissions as non-organic cotton.
By purchasing organic cotton, as opposed to conventionally grown cotton, you are also avoiding contributing to an industry that treats its workers poorly. Much like their factory worker counterparts, textile and farm workers are also subjugated to cruel working conditions. The working conditions for cotton farmers are so poor that the average lifespan of an Indian cotton farmer is only 35 years old.
Organic hemp, linen, or bamboo are also great alternatives to cotton, as they do not require as much energy and water to grow and harvest. Many innovative fabrics are sourced sustainably, including TENCEL and ECONYL. All of these fabrics are ideal for sustainable furniture and many other types of home goods and décor.
Key Takeaways for Sustainable Furniture
- Opt for organic fabrics, as these release fewer toxins into the soil, air, and water supply; and will also expose you to fewer irritants in your home.
- Look for products made with recycled cotton, hemp, linen, or bamboo. Consider TENCEL, ECONYL, or other sustainable alternative fabrics.
Where It’s Made
As discussed previously, much of the manufacturing industry globally is known for its horrible working conditions and inadequate pay. It’s easy to write off buying products made in certain countries that have an issue with exploitative manufacturing. However, this dismisses the thousands of artisans in these countries who make beautiful products in humane working conditions.
It’s also important not to assume that just because a piece of furniture is expensive, that the brand or cooperation paid the workers who manufactured the products fairly. It’s important to make this decision based on the transparency the company gives into its manufacturing. Many brands will charge a premium for a name while paying manufacturing workers below livable wages. The easiest way to find products that value every member of the production process is to look for any certifications a product or company holds. Companies that value ethical production will be transparent about it as well.
Key Takeaways for Sustainable Furniture
- Don’t just consider where a product is made, research the brand or company to get an idea of their labor practices. Most companies that value ethics in their production line will be transparent about it. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a company asking them about how their products are made and who makes them.
- Look for certifications such as Fair Trade Certified to help guide you in the right direction
Glossary of Terms, Certifications, and Materials
Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) – The Better Cotton Initiative is an independent, non-profit organization that protects the people who produce cotton and the environment. The Better Cotton Initiative provides guidelines for sourcing cotton. They also conduct research on how cotton is grown and the welfare of those growing it, and publish it on their website.
Carbon Offset – Carbon offset relates to a company’s carbon footprint. Organizations focused on becoming carbon neutral must first calculate their carbon footprint, then determine how they will make up for this footprint. By successfully offsetting its carbon footprint, a company can become carbon neutral.
Craftmark – Craftmark is a non-profit that authenticates handmade products originating in India. They create standards for what constitutes a handmade product and also provide loans and distribution to artisans in India.
ECONYL – ECONYL is a textiles solution made of regenerated nylon. The textile is used in a variety of products including carpets and rugs.
Fair Trade Certification – Fair Trade Certified products meet strict standards regarding social, environmental, and economic goals. The organization believes that every product not only affects the people who own it but every person who encountered the product somewhere in the supply chain. A Fair Trade certification verifies that the end product was beneficial to everyone involved.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – The Forest Stewardship Council is one of the most recognized authorities in sustainable wood harvesting. FSC ensures the responsible management of forests and provides certifications for suppliers and corporations given they meet the organization’s standards for sustainable use of forest products.
Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS) – GOTS provides certification for products that meet specific standards to be considered organic. They emphasize managing the entire production process of the textiles to ensure the product is actually organic.
Global Recycle Standard – The Global Recycle Standard is an international organization providing third-party certifications with strict standards on what constitutes recycled content. Companies who wish to validate any claims of recycled products can seek out certification with this agency.
GREENGUARD – GREENGUARD is an independent non-profit offering third-party certifications for products with low chemical and particle emissions. Each product must be tested for the amount of off-gassing it produces to ensure it falls well below healthy levels.
Greenhouse Gas Protocol – Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or GHG, is an independent organization that provides standards, guidance, tools, and training for businesses and governments to measure and manage their greenhouse gas emissions.
Leather Working Group – The Leather Working Group is an international organization of manufacturers, suppliers, brands, and artisans dedicated to sustainability in the leather supply chain. The Leather Working Group provides audits of the supply chain for leather and has over 800 members globally.
Lifecycle Impact – A company or manufacturer can calculate the lifecycle impact of their products to ensure they are minimizing waste and damage to the environment. The lifecycle of a product refers to its total impact, from extracting materials to the disposal of the product after it’s no longer usable or needed.
MDF – MDF, or medium-density fiberboard, is a common wood product used in the creation of home goods products. MDFs are made using formaldehyde as an adhesive, and it produces varying degrees of off-gassing chemicals. Very cheap MDFs often have a higher degree of formaldehyde used in their construction.
OEKO-TEX®– OEKO-TEX® is a third-party organization that provides certifications for textiles and leathers that meet chemical guidelines. The organization offers a variety of certifications for different products, all concerned with the amount and type of chemicals found in a product.
PROP 65 – Proposition 65 identifies products with chemicals that have been associated with cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm and requires a warning in the state of California, USA. Any retailer that ships to California will have to have this warning when shipping to California residents, but this can also be a useful tool for those not residing in California. If you reach out to the retailer and ask them if their product(s) require a California Prop 65 warning, they should have this information on hand and be able to get back to you quickly.
Recycled Claims Standard (RCS) – RCS provides certification for products based on the percent of recycled materials it is made out of. RCS ensures that products that don’t meet standards regarding recycled materials cannot claim to be recycled.
Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) – SASB is an independent agency that has created a complete set of industry standards for sustainability. SASB’s goal is to help businesses and corporations globally manage and communicate sustainability goals with investors or in a business setting.
TENCEL – TENCEL is a textile solution made of Lyocell and Modal fibers, which are derived from raw material wood. These fibers are completely compostable and biodegradable, making them a truly cyclical product.
REPREVE – REPREVE is a textiles solution made out of plastic water bottles. REPREVE is most widely used to make performance clothing, but many sustainable furniture brands also use REPREVE in their home products.
VOCs – VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are the gases emitted from a wide array of products. VOCs are known for having both short-term and long-term health implications when exposure is frequent. The usual suspects for high VOC content in the home are pains, wood preservatives, cleanser, and office equipment, though this is by no means an extensive list.
A Complete and Updated Guide to Sustainable Furniture
In an increasingly environmentally and ecologically conscious world, people are looking for products and companies that help support green efforts. While true for a wide variety of products, it’s especially important in the world of furniture manufacturing.
When buying large pieces like furniture, it makes sense you want something that not only looks good, but with production that has the environment in mind throughout the manufacturing process. A lot of companies try to cash in on being environmentally friendly, but not all of them deliver. Knowing what practices lead to ecologically safe, sustainable furniture can make decision purchases for the green minded much easier.
Deeper Insights into Sustainable Furniture
What defines sustainability?
To understand whether or not a certain furniture brand or company is sustainable, we first need to define the term. Sustainable furniture is defined by its sourcing, materials, and distribution. The materials need to be renewable. Chemicals used in the process need to be kept to a minimum as well. Thirdly, the materials used should be locally sourced to reduce energy used during transportation.
So when researching whether or not certain pieces, such as furniture made by Amish craftsmen, is sustainable or not, take the previous explanations into account when making your decisions on green purchases.
Responsibly and sustainably sourced
As previously mentioned, the materials used in the process of manufacturing sustainable furniture needs to be renewable. This leaves out most plastics, although plant based plastics are growing more widespread. Still, the main renewable resource used in furniture is, obviously, wood.
Wood is a renewable resource and can be sustainably sourced and harvested. The Amish have been doing so for centuries when it comes to their work, which is one reason their pieces can be found even after decades of use.
Since the Amish tend not to travel too far from their villages if possible, the wood they use is locally harvested, another important aspect of sustainable furniture. Long transportation distances use resources, so some pieces might not be very green if the parts are imported from far away.
Recycled sources count too
While this cannot be said for Amish pieces, another source of sustainable furniture is pieces made from recycled materials, like plywood. They might not be the prettiest, but the material is cheap and will do the job for a low cost.
Recycling can mean pieces remaining in use for long periods, too, and, in that regard, the sustainability of hardwood furniture, whether made from repurposed wood or not, is pretty straightforward.
Limited synthetic chemical compounds
Compounds used in manufacturing can create runoff in the water, soil, and air. The aerosol effect means sprayed chemicals get in the air fast, and liquid chemicals can poison water and soil if not properly disposed.
When researching what furniture to buy, pay attention to whether or not the production process uses a lot of chemical varnishes and stains. While stains are relatively common, the Amish, for example, don’t use varnishes, relying more on the grain and texture of the wood to stand out in style.
Low transport wear
While touched on previously, understanding the resources, or lack thereof, involved in the transportation of furniture is an important aspect of sustainability. For furniture to be considered sustainable and green, transportation costs and materials need to be minimized.
That includes transporting the raw material to the production facility and getting the completed furniture to the sale point, from which they might be further transported to the customer’s home. In this regard, products that sell directly from the manufacturer, like Amish bedroom sets, have a clear green advantage over pieces that need to go to a retail store, and potentially even a storage warehouse in between completion and sale.
Not all products are sold directly from the maker, of course, but distance travelled matters a lot. Locally or regionally produced items are obviously better for the environment than imported goods, for example. That is due to the resources used in transportation, be it cost for fuel, emissions, and even general wear on the areas travelled.
Fuel usage is growing less a concern with the wider use of electric vehicles, but it is still worth taking into account. Such transportation is currently limited, and the batteries use non-renewable resources like rare metals. Further, if not properly disposed of, seepage from such devices can poison the environment.
Fortunately, as the world turns more green-minded, companies that support such efforts are usually very happy to make it known. This makes researching whether or not a furniture maker is green and sustainable or not much easier.
Still, it is worth doing the research if you’re concerned about the environment. Locally produced goods made with local resources are better, and they need to be made from sustainable and renewable resources. Finding such pieces might sound hard at first, but there are definitely a few good places to start.
Is Amish Furniture Sustainable?
Amish furniture is well known for being made by Amish craftsmen using traditional tools and solid wood. Said furniture is renowned for its durability, quality, and longevity. In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, you might also wonder if Amish furniture is sustainable and ecologically viable. The answer is involved, and has a lot to do with how Amish furniture is sourced, built, and sold.
Sustainably sourced wood
When making wooden furniture, you obviously need to start with the wood. When it comes to Amish pieces, they are crafted from locally sourced, sustainably harvested forests. Since the Amish work with local products, the trees don’t have to travel very far and have time to re-grow. Obviously, if the trees weren’t replaced or harvested too quickly, there wouldn’t be any more wood, and that would mean no more Amish furniture.
This also means that Amish pieces come in a wide variety of woods thanks to the local availability to any given Amish craftsmen. Whether it’s green housing materials or just some chairs, Amish pieces come from wood that isn’t going anywhere in a hurry.
Small production and distribution
Amish furniture is made in small production facilities. This is because the pieces are fashioned largely by hand, by Amish craftsmen. As they are limited by the speed of their own two hands and related tools, the pieces take time to produce. That means not only are the pieces being assembled from sourced wood, they are being made in smaller batches than mass produced furniture.
Along with being locally sourced, Amish furniture is also usually distributed relatively locally as well. While that can make finding pieces difficult in certain areas, it also reduces resources used in logistics. Less energy used on transportation and storage means less damage to the environment, which is obviously an excellent benefit to Amish furniture.
Production keeps local, too, of course. The Amish are generally reclusive as a people, so their workshops are usually kept in the village near the wood that they are using. Not only does that provide for local flair depending on the village, it means even less energy used in transportation, which helps the environment as well.
Limited resources in tooling
As previously mentioned, Amish furniture is made largely with the use of hand tools. What limited power tools used are pneumatic, and thus have limited energy use. As a result, Amish furniture’s production doesn’t use a lot of resources in the process, as it’s largely powered by the hands of the person making the piece.
Less energy used for production means fewer resources used, of course, and that means Amish furniture is easy on the environment. The Amish rarely make use of chemical varnishes, either, so not only is production easy on energy use, but also on air quality.
Not only is Amish production limited and sustainably sourced, with limited energy usage, the resources used in the actual wood are limited as well. Amish pieces do not make use of nails or adhesives, instead fitting the wood together through superior craftsmanship. With fewer parts used in the process, fewer resources are consumed.
Robust recycling
Amish furniture lasts and looks great. As a result, it’s pretty common for folks to pass down Amish pieces to other family members or friends. If they can’t, the pieces, such as an Amish dining table, are usually sold to a consignment store, donated to a thrift shop, or sold directly via online markets.
Recycling may not be the most efficient way to help the environment, but it is on the list of the first three ways we all learned as kids. Considering that Amish furniture is small production, the resale and inheriting of Amish products helps keep production down, so fewer trees are used in the process. While that may not seem like a lot, every bit helps in the long run.
Is Amish furniture produced sustainably?
Having examined all the ways that Amish furniture production works to prevent and reduce damage to the environment, the next logical question is if all that counts as sustainable. In this regard, the best answer is from the EPA. They define sustainable manufacturing as “the creation of manufactured products through economically-sound processes that minimize negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources.”
That certainly sounds familiar. Economically sound? Check. Minimized negative impact on the environment? Indeed. Conservation of natural resources? That’s right, check.
From start to finish, Amish furniture has been produced sustainably and responsibly for centuries. Old growth forests are carefully harvested and allowed to replenish thanks to limited production and sustainable harvesting. The furniture is crafted with limited energy usage. Distribution and production are usually at the local level too, which means reduced fuel consumption. When it comes to the question of whether or not Amish furniture is sustainable, the centuries of production and pieces still handed down across generations make that answer rather obvious.
A List of Sustainable Furniture and Home Goods Brands
A Bit of Everything
Made Trade
Made Trade sells a wide variety of products, including ethical furniture, decor, and clothing. A purchase from Made Trade directly supports the small businesses and artisans that produce the merchandise curated on Made Trade. Their products are 100% vegan and made of sustainable materials. Made Trade is a great place to shop if you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for, as they have an incredibly diverse selection of homeware and clothing items.
The Citizenry
The Citizenry curates artisan-made home goods to build a brand that puts the artisans first. Each purchase from The Citizenry directly supports the artisans who created the product. Their artisan partners are from all across the globe and their product line ranges from rugs and bedding to mirrors and chairs.
Vivaterra
The merchants at Vivaterra work with manufacturers and artisans from all over the world, curating an expansive collection of items for every room. Vivaterra’s website features a convenient icon system displayed for each of their products to make it easy to pick out the sustainable furniture that adheres to your values.
The Little Market
The Little Market sells a little bit of everything, including spa sets and candles. They focus on ethically sourced and artisan-made products, with an emphasis placed on honoring and supporting marginalized artisan communities globally. Their specific aim is to support and uplift people with disabilities, women coming out of poverty, refugees, and survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence.
ABC Carpet & Home
ABCs offers a large selection of products for the home. While their selection is large, they make it easy to shop for products that align with a variety of values by using a simple icon system for marking what standards the product meets. They also offer custom rugs and floral bouquets, all adhering to the ABCs values of sustainability and social justice.
Jardan
Jardan offers eco friendly furniture, lighting, and other homewares, placing precedence on reducing waste and conserving energy use. They focus on recycling and the reduction of waste in the production process. They also offer reupholstery services to prolong the use of the furniture you already own. Their products hold several certifications and memberships, including but not limited to FSC certified, Oeko-Tex, and the Organic Textile Standard.
Sustainable Furniture Brands
Medley
Medley creates ethical furniture for the living room, dining room, and bedroom, built out of eco-conscious materials that are meant to stand the test of time. They use all FSC certified hardwood, which is made without harmful adhesives and will last you for a lifetime. Their sofa foam is non-toxic and designed to do as little harm as possible to the environment. Their products are also all hand-crafted in California, the USA in an environment that values the artisans who create the products.
The Joinery
The Joinery is a certified B-corporation run out of Oregon, USA. Their focus is on artisan furniture created with only the highest quality materials. The Joinery makes their furniture out of hardwood certified by the FSC and they recycle or reuse all of their scrap lumber. Their products also all come with a lifetime guarantee. Their mission is to create products to last a lifetime, not end up in a landfill. They make sustainable furniture for the bedroom, living room, dining room, and office.
Sabai
Sabai emphasizes fixing what we have, as opposed to tossing and buying something new. Their selection features seating that can easily be customized to any space. They use only natural fibers and FSC certified wood, and also offer services such as upholstery and repair services to ensure their products are used until the absolute end of their life cycle.
Thuma
Thuma sells beds designed for both function and durability. Their designs are simple, timeless, and thoughtful and the majority of their materials are upcycled. Their signature beds are made from repurposed wood and are Greengard certified, guaranteeing minimal exposure to volatile chemical compounds.
Reclaimed Furniture on Etsy
Etsy makes it astonishingly easy to shop reclaimed furniture from a variety of artisans selling through the platform. Etsy’s reclaimed furniture selection offers a comprehensive assortment of products, the majority made of reclaimed wood. Shopping through Etsy is a great way to support artisans.
Jenni Kayne
Jenni Kayne sells eco friendly furniture and home goods as well as clothing and fashion accessories. They focus on creating and shipping products using only eco-conscious materials. Sustainability and transparency are the foundation of Jenni Kayne, as well as creating simple, high-quality pieces that will stay in style their entire lifecycle.
West Elm
West Elm offers a mixture of home goods items, including ethical décor, textiles, and furniture for practically every room in the house. They also offer home products like candles and diffusers. West Elm is transparent about what certifications their products hold, offering products that adhere to a variety of values. Many of West Elm’s products are Fair Trade and sustainably sourced. All of their all-cotton towels and bedding are made from 100% organic cotton.
Ten Thousand Villages
The Thousand Villages offers a very wide selection of products for both the home as well as fashion accessories. Ten Thousand Villages is a great place to find unique pieces you won’t find elsewhere, and their price point is very fair. They support artisans in developing countries by giving them a platform to sell their products that they would not otherwise have access to. Every item directly benefits the person who created it. Ten Thousand Villages is a member of the Fair Trade Federation and the World Fair Trade Organization.
Bedding and Textiles
Blacksaw
BLACKSAW creates stunning blankets, throws, tapestries, and other home textile goods. Their most popular items are their blankets and throws made out of sustainably sourced baby alpaca wool. All the wool used in the creation of their textiles comes from their partners in South America, who are working to sustain the alpaca population by supporting local shepherds. Purchasing from these small shepherding communities helps these farmers continue their work, as well as provide financial stability and education to their families.
Boll & Branch
Boll & Branch is dedicated to making a more sustainable and compassionate supply chain. All of their textiles are made from organic cotton, which not only benefits the customer but also the farmers who grow the cotton. Boll & Branch decided to use only organic cotton after discovering that the average age for a cotton farmer in India was 35. Convention farming cuts corners that threaten employees’ lives. By sourcing organic cotton, Boll & Branch supports organic farms that value human rights.
Avocado Green Mattress
Avocado makes mattresses, bed linens, and bed accessories out of completely non-toxic, organic materials. They are a certified B-corporation and all of their mattresses are GreenGuard gold certified. They are also quickly encroaching on being completely zero waste, and are a CarbonFree Partner, a program that helps businesses determine their carbon footprint and take steps to offset it.
The Renewal Workshop
The Renewal Workshop is dedicated to making a circular product cycle, where materials are reused repeatedly. They offer a lot of options for clothing, but they also have partnered with Pottery Barn to make a line of home lines, such as pillows, towels, duvets, and more, all made of recycled materials. Of all the brands on this list, they also have the greatest selection of curtains.
Parachute Home
Parachute is most known for their eco-friendly and supremely comfortable mattress, but they also sell bedding and other linens for the home. Its mission is to create well-made, conscientious, and beautiful products at an accessible price point. Their products are Oeko-Tex certified, guaranteeing any chemical exposure will be kept to a minimum and their mattress is made of recyclable, non-toxic materials.
Sustainable Decor and Everything Else
MadeTerra
MadeTerra directly supports Vietnamese artisans who use locally sourced, recycled, and renewable materials in their products. Their priority is to keep the margins fair to the artisans creating their products. By doing this, they not only support the artisans, but also the communities where they work. They sell bakers’ tools, home decor, tableware, and more in their diverse selection.
Accompany
Accompany sells decor and home accessories, as well as jewelry and fashion accessories. They focus on artisan-made goods and supporting local craftspeople to preserve their cultures and the communities they live in. Accompany’s mission is to actively stop the exploitative practices of commercial manufacturing and move towards a slower, more compassionate economy.
Know someone who’s doing great things in the arena of sustainable furniture and home goods? Let us know!