The Rise of Sustainable Office Furniture: Enhancing Productivity and Planet

Last updated on:
December 7, 2023
Written by:
Unnati Mavchi
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In the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of modern business, where innovation and productivity reign supreme, a transformative shift is taking place. It's a movement that marries the efficiency of the workplace with a deep commitment to the well-being of our planet. Welcome to the dawn of a new era in office design, where sustainability meets style and environmental responsibility intertwines with functional elegance.

A staggering 17 billion pounds—this is the annual fate of office furniture, consigned to landfills, accompanied by a host of disconcerting statistics regarding furniture's environmental footprint.

Gone are the days of disposable, ecologically detrimental office furnishings. Instead, we're ushering in a world where every desk, chair, and workstation embodies a statement of environmental stewardship, resonating with the principles of responsible sourcing and conscious consumption

Get ready to discover a new era of conscientious design, where style, functionality, and sustainability converge to create an office environment that's both elegant and environmentally responsible. It's a journey that combines functionality and aesthetics, elevating your workspace to new heights while reducing our ecological footprint.

What are the advantages of using sustainable office furniture?

Using sustainable office furniture offers numerous benefits for both your business and the environment, including:

  1. Environmental Impact: Sustainable office furniture, often made from renewable or recycled materials, reduces the demand for new resources and minimizes environmental footprint.
  2. Efficiency: Sustainable furniture is designed with energy and resource efficiency in mind, lowering energy and water consumption during production.
  3. Indoor Air Quality: Low-VOC finishes and adhesives in sustainable furniture improve indoor air quality, creating a healthier and more comfortable workspace.
  4. Longevity: Durable designs reduce the need for frequent replacements, leading to long-term cost savings.
  5. Employee Well-being: Comfort and ergonomics in sustainable furniture enhance employee well-being, reducing discomfort and boosting productivity.
  6. Brand Image: Embracing sustainability enhances your company's image and showcases your commitment to environmental responsibility.
  7. Cost Savings: While initial costs may be higher, sustainable furniture's durability and reduced maintenance expenses offset the investment.
  8. Regulatory Compliance: Sustainable office furniture helps meet environmental regulations and certifications, advantageous in various industries.
  9. Ethical Practices: Ethical sourcing and fair labor practices in sustainable furniture support responsible supply chains.
  10. Innovation and Aesthetics: Innovative and aesthetically pleasing designs improve the overall workspace and align with sustainability goals.
  11. Reduced Carbon Footprint: Sustainable furniture production and transportation often have a lower carbon footprint, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  12. Adaptability: Many sustainable options are modular, allowing flexible, customised office layouts that adapt to your evolving business needs.

Navigating the world of eco-friendly furniture can be overwhelming, as it involves considering a multitude of materials and finishes, each with unique environmental, social, and health impacts.

To simplify your journey, we've put together a curated list of the top sustainable furniture brands, offering environmentally conscious options for you to get done your work..

1. Herman Miller

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Last Updated Price: $215

Herman Miller covers everything for all your home office needs. From sit-to-stand tables to storage chests and trolleys, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Herman Miller, a renowned furniture brand, has made significant strides in sustainability, setting a benchmark for eco-conscious practices in the industry. Their commitment to environmental responsibility is evident in various aspects of their operations, exemplifying a dedication to a more sustainable future.

1. Renewable Energy: Herman Miller has taken substantial steps to reduce its carbon footprint. Their facilities operate on 100% renewable energy, showcasing their commitment to clean and sustainable power sources.

2. Eco-Friendly Materials: The company's dedication to preserving Earth's resources is reflected in their use of eco-friendly materials. They prioritize renewable, certified, and recycled wood, ensuring their furniture production aligns with sustainable practices. 

3. Repurpose Program: Herman Miller's innovative Repurpose program reduces waste and prevents unwanted assets from ending up in landfills. By reusing furniture and materials, the program not only minimizes waste but also contributes to a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Research indicates that 100 offices adopting the Repurpose program can reduce emissions by 37.5 tons. 

4. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification: Herman Miller maintains FSC certification, emphasizing their commitment to responsible forest management. This certification ensures that the wood they use in their products is sourced from well-managed forests.

5. Ocean-Bound Plastic Initiative: In a pioneering effort to combat the ocean plastic crisis, Herman Miller has partnered with NextWave Plastics. This collaboration involves transforming ocean-bound plastic waste into new products, effectively reducing the volume of plastic waste in the ocean. Notably, their iconic Aeron Chair is now being manufactured using recycled ocean waste, diverting over 150 tons of plastic annually. 

2. Masaya & Co.

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They offer stunning environmentally sustainable office furniture. For other rooms there are bed frames, dressers, nightstands, shelves, tables too.

  1. Eco-Friendly Selection: Offering a wide range of eco-friendly living room and bedroom furniture, including sofas, chairs, bed frames, and minimalist office furniture like the Casares Desk.
  2. Materials: Crafted from responsibly-harvested solid hardwood, including Teak, Royal Mahogany, and Rosita Walnut. Low-VOC natural oil finishes are used. Cushions feature durable Sunbrella® fabric, produced with a low environmental impact.
  3. Supply Chain: Handcrafted in Nicaragua, supporting 150 local craftspeople and designers.
  4. Carbon Commitments: Solar-powered kilns are used for drying locally-sourced hardwoods. The "Seed to Seat" model involves reforesting land depleted by cattle farming.
  5. Community & Charitable Giving: Masaya & Co plants 100 trees in Nicaragua for every product sold, totaling millions.
  6. Renewable Resources: Masaya & Co. replaces resources taken by others, practising reforestation on deforested cattle lands. Their approach sustains natural ecosystems and benefits local communities economically.
  7. Maderas Sostenibles: Founded by Aram and Michael Terry, Maderas Sostenibles established tree farms and a production facility in Managua, crafting furniture that captures carbon in everyday use.
  8. Seed to Seat Model: The company plants more trees annually than they harvest, establishing a cycle of environmental and economic benefits, having planted over 1.2 million trees so far.
  9. Handcrafted Quality: Artisans handcraft renewable wood into timeless, durable designs meant to last for generations. No mass production.

3. What we Make

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  1. Timeless Modern Design: What WE Make specializes in customizable, handcrafted, and eco-friendly furniture. Their sleek, minimalist pieces complement modern homes, offering a range of options from tables to eco-friendly bedroom and bathroom furniture, home office pieces, and more.
  2. Materials: What WE Make uses reclaimed old-growth hardwoods, aged at least a century, and sustainably sourced hardwoods. They finish their furniture with no or low VOC eco-friendly materials, and they employ hand-welded metal and special-blend concrete.
  3. Supply Chain & Labor: This family-owned brand handcrafts furniture in Algonquin, IL.
  4. Carbon Commitments & Green Practices: Every piece is made-to-order with quality craftsmanship, and any wood waste is donated locally for fires and agriculture.
  5. Made Right Guarantee: What WE Make stands by their work, offering family-friendly, non-toxic, VOC-free, water-resistant finishes that can be spot-sanded for repairs. They provide photos for approval before shipping to ensure customer satisfaction.
  6. 15 Years of Sustainability: With a focus on reclaimed wood, sustainably sourced hardwoods, and non-toxic finishes, What WE Make is committed to lasting, non-toxic, and functional furniture. Their dedication to reducing waste and energy consumption sets them apart, bringing sustainability to an industry in need of change.
  7. Materials with a Story: Most of their pieces are crafted from reclaimed wood sourced from midwestern barns, each board boasting a unique history. For those desiring more uniformity, they also work with locally and sustainably sourced hardwoods. They refuse to work with toxic materials, aligning their production with sustainability.
  8. Midwest Lumber Partnership: What WE Make sources lumber responsibly from the Midwest, emphasizing ecosystem health and sustainability, ensuring trees continue to grow and maintain clean air by absorbing carbon. They collaborate with like-minded suppliers who prioritize ecosystems.

4. Noho

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Noho is an award-winning ergonomic furniture brand. It is made from reclaimed ocean plastic and was born and built in New Zealand. They offer chairs. 

  1. Materials: Noho crafts its products using innovative materials like  like castor beans, discarded carpets and recycled fishing nets transforming discarded resources into comfortable, stylish furniture
  2. Carbon Footprint: With an 82% renewable energy supply, Noho minimises its carbon footprint during production. Sustainable choices at every step are key to their environmental commitment.
  3. Recycling Loop: Noho's "no-waste" approach ensures production mishaps are recycled to create new furniture, closing the loop and reducing waste.
  4. Supply Chain & Labor: Noho's entire process is locally rooted in New Zealand, from materials to manufacturing, guaranteeing ethical labor practices and quality control.
  5. Community and Charitable Initiatives: Noho actively contributes to local communities by donating scrap wood and sawdust for heating and agriculture, exemplifying its dedication to sustainability beyond products.
  6. Purpose: Noho's purpose goes beyond furniture; they aim to enrich homes, bodies, and the planet through beautiful, ergonomic designs that support modern living.
  7. Sustainability & B Corp Certification: Noho's B Corp certification underlines their commitment to sustainable practices and ethical business, setting the standard for a brighter, more eco-friendly future.

5. VivaTerra

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VivaTerra, which means "living earth," is a brand dedicated to harmonious coexistence with nature, blending global inspiration with modern, eco-conscious design. They have beautifully crafted furniture for the living room, bedroom, and home office and more.

  1. Materials: VivaTerra is committed to using sustainable, eco-friendly materials in its products. From reclaimed wood to recycled glass and vintage fabrics, their dedication to using natural and renewable resources shines through.
  2. Carbon Footprint: The brand takes steps to reduce its carbon footprint through smart logistics. They prioritize efficient transportation methods, reducing the distance products travel, and minimizing energy consumption in the process.
  3. Recycling: VivaTerra champions recycling by incorporating recycled materials into their product lines. They also avoid waste by finding innovative uses for imperfect or surplus produce, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
  4. Supply Chain and Labor: By supporting artisans worldwide and valuing fair wages and healthy working conditions, VivaTerra builds a responsible and ethical supply chain. Their commitment to fair trade and sustainable development extends across the globe.
  5. Community and Charitable Work: VivaTerra is deeply committed to their community, not just as a business but as a philanthropic force. Their practices and partnerships benefit communities and society as a whole through social consciousness, fair wages, and sustainable development.
  6. Purpose: VivaTerra's purpose is to provide consumers with a unique and conscious shopping experience. They prioritize ethics, quality, and sustainability, delivering products that reflect their commitment to preserving the planet while adding beauty to homes.
  7. Sustainability: Sustainability is at the heart of VivaTerra's ethos. Their long-standing focus on environmentally friendly practices, such as the use of FSC-certified wood, recycled materials, and eco-conscious farming, reflects their dedication to the planet's well-being.
  8. Certification: While not explicitly mentioned in the text, VivaTerra is known for adhering to a variety of certifications and standards related to sustainability, fair trade, and eco-conscious design. This includes using FSC-certified wood, GOTS-certified cotton, and their membership in the Sustainable Food Trade Association. These certifications reflect their commitment to ethical, sustainable, and environmentally conscious practices.

6. Maiden Home

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  1. Materials: Maiden Home showcases its commitment to eco-friendliness through sustainable hardwoods, which are certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Steel components are recycled. 
  2. Carbon Footprint: By partnering with manufacturers that utilize eco-friendly practices such as CNC routing, Maiden Home minimizes wood waste. Their "slow furniture" philosophy prioritizes durability and longevity, thus reducing the need for replacements, which indirectly aids in carbon footprint reduction.
  3. Recycling: The company prioritizes recycling steel components and offers sustainable, well-crafted furniture designed to last, thus indirectly contributing to waste reduction.
  4. Supply Chain and Labor: Maiden Home prides itself on artisanal craftsmanship. Every piece is handcrafted to order by skilled North Carolina artisans, who employ heritage techniques. This approach emphasizes quality workmanship and supports local labor.
  5. Community and Charitable Work: While not explicitly discussed in the provided information, the brand's focus on artisan communities and sustainable practices indirectly contributes to social consciousness and community support.
  6. Purpose: Maiden Home's purpose centers around offering quality furniture with a sustainable and heritage-driven approach. Their commitment to "slow furniture" aligns with the values of durability, quality, and eco-consciousness.
  7. Certification: Maiden Home is Certified B Corporation. This certification reflects the brand's dedication to achieving high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

We hope you liked the sustainable office furniture pieces as much as we did. You can also check out these exquisite sustainable office furniture picks.

The mix of beauty, functionality, and eco-friendliness offers endless possibilities for your office design. 

As we furnish our workspaces with pieces that reflect our values and commitment to sustainability, we pave the way for a brighter, greener future, both inside and outside the office. So, make your office an oasis of style, comfort, and eco-friendliness. Together, we can create workplaces that inspire, innovate, and lead the way in sustainable design. Your next big project? Making your office truly sustainable, one desk and chair at a time.