How to Identify Sustainable Furniture: A Buyer's Checklist

When buying a chair with sustainability in mind, focus on its entire life cycle, from the materials it's made of to what happens at the end of its use. Here's a general checklist of focus areas to consider:

1. Materials: What's it made of? ♻️

  • Recycled/Reclaimed Content: Look for chairs made from materials that were once something else, like recycled plastic from fishing nets or e-waste, or reclaimed wood from old buildings. This reduces the need for new, or virgin, resources.
  • Renewable Resources: If a new material is used, it should come from a renewable source that can be replenished quickly. Examples include bamboo or wood from a sustainably managed forest.
  • Non-Toxic Finishes: Check if the chair uses non-toxic glues, stains, and finishes. Look for certifications that guarantee low or no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are harmful chemicals that can off-gas and affect indoor air quality. Wehlers calls this: "No ugly substances"
  • Avoid mixed materials: Often two good materials are mixed into something that is hard to separate after use which ruins the circularity. Often mentioned as "Closed Loops".

2. Durability & Production: How long will it last? 🛠️

  • Quality Construction: A truly sustainable chair is one that's built to last. A durable chair reduces the need for frequent replacements, which, in turn, minimizes waste and the environmental impact of manufacturing.
  • Design for Disassembly: The best chairs are designed to be easily taken apart. This makes them easier to repair and allows individual components to be replaced or recycled at the end of their life, rather than being sent to a landfill.
  • Ethical Manufacturing: Look for companies that have transparent production processes. They should have clear policies on waste management, energy efficiency (e.g., using renewable energy), and fair labor practices.

3. Circularity: What happens at the end? 🔄

  • Take-Back Programs: A company that offers a take-back program shows a commitment to the entire life cycle of their product. This means they will take the chair back at the end of its useful life to repair it, refurbish it, or recycle the materials.
  • Mono-Materials: Chairs made from a single material (or materials that can be easily separated) are much easier to recycle. Avoid chairs with complex composites or glues that make it difficult to separate the different components.
  • Certifications: Certifications act as a shortcut to verify a company's claims. Look for recognized labels like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for wood products, Cradle to Cradle for material safety and circularity, or other eco-labels that certify the product's environmental performance.

4. Manufacturing Transparency & Certifications 🏭

The origin of a chair can be a red flag, but it's not the full story. Instead of making a blanket judgment, look for specific evidence of ethical production.

  • Supply Chain Transparency: A truly sustainable brand will be open about its entire supply chain, from where its materials are sourced to the factories where the furniture is assembled. Look for detailed information on their website about their manufacturing partners.
  • Ethical Labor Practices: Research whether the company provides evidence of fair wages, safe working conditions, and reasonable working hours. Look for certifications from third-party organizations that audit labor standards.
  • Environmental Audits: The best manufacturers have clear, verifiable environmental policies. They should be able to provide information on how they manage waste, reduce energy consumption, and control air and water pollution.
  • Recognized Certifications: Look for credible, internationally recognized certifications that can be found on products made anywhere in the world, including China. These certifications provide objective proof of a company's commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. Examples include:
    • B-Corporation certificate: Guarantees that an intire company works for Good. In short, profits, planet and People, as per profits/shareholders only. AND not only a single product certificate of the intire portfolio.
    • Ellen MacAuthur Foundation: is a global charity that champions the circular economy 🔄, which is a systemic approach designed to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials at their highest value, and regenerate nature
    • FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): Guarantees that the wood used comes from a responsibly managed forest.
    • Cradle to Cradle: Assesses a product across multiple criteria, including material health, circularity, and social fairness.
    • GREENGUARD: Certifies that products meet strict chemical emissions limits, contributing to healthier indoor air.
    • BIFMA LEVEL: A multi-attribute standard for furniture that addresses environmental and social impacts across a company's operations and supply chain.

By focusing on these specific, verifiable credentials, you can confidently support brands that are committed to sustainability, regardless of where their products are made. This approach helps you avoid "junk" while also rewarding the growing number of manufacturers, including many in China, who are leading the way in ethical and eco-friendly production.

Find Wehlers checklist press here