22 Feb Shopping for Furniture: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

You already know about the three R’s of waste management: reduce, reuse & recycle. We should always reduce the amount we are using, reuse as much as possible and recycle what is left at the end. Here is how you can apply this when shopping for furniture:

• Reduce – If the furniture we buy is made well and is classic (not trendy) it will last a long time and you will hold on to it, you might even pass it down to your grandchildren. Saying this, it is best to save up for furniture and purchase one nice piece at a time.  When you want a new sofa, save up for it. When you want a new chair, save for that and get one that will look good with the sofa, don’t opt for the matching set. This way, eventually you have a home that looks personalized and is full of well made things in which you love, not a “matchy” home filled with furniture you have to replace every 3 or so years when you tire of them or they start falling apart. The longer we have something, the less we buy and less materials are used. You might even save money in the long run, or at least come out even…but with well made, great looking furniture.

• Reuse – Buying furniture that is vintage, second hand or made of reclaimed wood is a great idea as it requires no additional resources to manufacture. One of my favorite vintage elements to use is swag lamps. The wire can be clipped and then converted to a pendant type fixture.

• Recycle – When vintage or well made furniture is not an option, look for pieces that are either already made of recycled material or pieces made of metal or plastic which are recyclable. Stay away from furniture which contains materials that are hybrids, ie can’t be separated, such as a plastic coated particle board desk tops. These types of products are impossible to recycle and will be destined for the land fill when they reach the end of their usability.