RECYCLE
This is where materials are, or can be, totally broken down and used in another form.
Examples are cardboard, glass, paper, wood, some plastics and steel. Steel and glass
can be recycled by re-melting many times over and still maintain its quality. We are
increasingly seeing recycled wood being used in furniture and fabrics such as old
denim jeans, sail cloths and canvas tents, being applied as upholstery on chairs and
sofas.
EMBODIED ENERGY
There is also the concept of embodied energy which is the energy consumed by all
the processes involved in making something. From first getting the raw material from
the earth, refining it, manufacturing and transporting it between those processes, to
finally, getting it to your door. So, for example, an Australian sustainbly sourced
hardwood, made into a table by a local craftsman, is going to have less embodied
energy than a laminated table made in the USA.
With a lot of manufacturing happening overseas, for furniture and homewares, it is
likely you might still be looking at buying things for your home like this.
Choosing Objects And Materials
Third party certifications for ethics and whether products are green, organic or have
sustainable sources and practices, are available to help in giving you confidence in
buying (see page 32), however they don’t necessarily cover everything, such as toxic
chemical use. It is best to be educated and aware of what to look for, and what to
look out for.
When selecting your next soft and hard furnishing purchase, a useful guide is to
simply ask these five key questions:
1. Do I need this?
2. Will it perform and do what it is supposed to (and can I maintain it)?
3. Is it good for me?
4. Is it good for the planet and others?
5. Do I love it?
Answering these things will help avoid landfill, overcome environmental impact, be
healthier for you and help with your back pocket; by investing in home furnishings
that will last.
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