Most of us are shifting our focus onto becoming more responsible consumers as we work together to tackle climate change. We must all do our part to try and tackle global warming before our world becomes irreparably damaged.
When choosing new furniture for our office we can also make more sustainable choices by carefully considering our purchases. When looking to buy new pieces of office furniture, we need to be thinking about the materials that have been used to make it and whether they are recyclable, what methods are deployed in the production process and the carbon emissions associated with the packaging and transportation of the goods.
So, you would like to invest in a brand-new standing desk? Here, we discuss how to start your search for an eco-friendly and practical sit-stand desk and think about what you should research along the way.
Local Manufacturing
One of the most effective ways of reducing your carbon footprint is by buying products that have been manufactured locally. Opt for high-quality office furniture that hasn’t clocked up thousands of travel miles. It also pays to support local manufacturers, helping them to stay in business. As a bonus, locally sourced furniture is likely to be more cost-effective as there are no import costs associated with it. The most eco-friendly furniture will be manufactured using regionally sourced raw materials and suppliers. Don’t forget to ensure that good working practices are adhered to by your chosen furniture supplier, this should include fair working conditions and pay. After all, social responsibility is a key part of living a sustainable lifestyle.
Responsibly-Sourced Materials
Eco-friendly furniture should be constructed using materials that are responsibly sourced and easily and rapidly replaced. Office furniture made from sustainable materials, such as wood, cotton and bamboo, will not only offer you a stylish and modern look, but they will also help to protect the environment. Many companies now also offer furniture that has been manufactured using recycled materials, such as recycled textiles and salvaged wood. Be sure to research your options carefully and be aware of what you are looking for, for example, a product labelled “FSC Certified” is manufactured using wood from responsibly managed forests.
Non-Toxic And Low VOCs
As consumers, we now know a lot more about the harmful effects of toxic chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). As such, we don’t want to invest in office furniture that emits these harmful substances. Items containing toxic compounds and VOCs will release these into the air and contribute to the pollution of the atmosphere. When choosing a piece of eco-friendly furniture, be sure to check that the materials used during its manufacture do not raise any health concerns.
Durability And Repair
To make sure that your standing desk is truly sustainable, you should invest a little more money and buy a product that is built to last so that it will have a long lifespan. While it might be tempting to bag a bargain and snap up that cheap standing desk, it is cheap for a reason. Desks that are made from cheap raw materials and are poorly manufactured are likely to end up in landfill in a few years, and this disposable culture is very bad for the environment.
While an eco-friendly standing desk may seem like an expensive initial investment, in the long run, it will save you money. Your desk will last you for many years, meaning that the money you would spend on replacing it can be spent on something else.
A good standing desk will have a timeless design, allowing it to be happily used for years to come. If it is made using high-quality materials, it may also be passed on to future generations who are free to upcycle it as they wish and provide it with a new lease of life.
Don’t Compromise On Style
Reducing your carbon footprint doesn’t mean that you need to compromise on style. Eco-friendly furniture needn’t be simple and boring. As we all become more aware of our impact on the planet, more and more manufacturers are producing sustainable furniture. This means that you have plenty of options to choose from, whatever style you crave.
How Can Flexispot Help?
At Flexispot, we are committed to taking care of the planet and ensuring that we can reduce our negative impact on it. This is why we offer a range of furniture solutions that are both ethically and environmentally sourced. Our Q8 8-in-1 Standing Desk is made using an environmentally friendly and high-quality bamboo desktop. This surface is water-proof, moth-proof and resistant to scratches, ensuring that it stays looking like new for a long time! It has a modern, sleek design and a handy and practical in-built cable storage solution. The Q8 desk also offers handy extras such as a wireless charging point, a wide height adjustment range and an anti-collision system.