Most people have heard about the detrimental effect of fast fashion on the environment, but what about fast furniture? According to the Australian government, Australia generates 30,000 tonnes of commercial furniture waste each year, with 95% of this ending up in landfill. Is this hard to imagine? To help you picture it, this waste is equivalent to about 2.5 times the weight of the Eiffel tower. This highlights the significant potential for circularity in the furniture industry.
WHAT IS THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY?
Unlike the traditional "take-make-dispose" model, the circular economy aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible, minimising waste while maximising the value of products. This model aims to create a closed-loop system where materials are continuously cycled back into the economy, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability.
There are three primary principles associated with this transition to a circular economy according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation:
1. Design out waste and pollution
2. Keep products and materials in use
3. Regenerate natural systems
Only by integrating all three in a concerted approach can a fully circular economy be achieved.
There are 6 ways you can use to make furniture more circular:
1. Maintain – Think of it like giving your old sofa a spa day
2. Repair – Fix that squeaky spring in your favourite armchair
3. Reuse – Ever wondered what your old desk could do in a new home?
4. Refurbish – Give your vintage chair a makeover that even reality TV stars would envy
5. Re-purpose – It's like giving your furniture a mid-life crisis makeover
6. Recycle – Maybe those old chair legs become part of a funky new lamp
VINTAGE FURNITURE AS A SOLUTION
Opting for vintage furniture is a powerful way to embrace a sustainable approach and align with circular economy principles. Here’s why vintage pieces are a standout solution:
Preventing Deforestation: By choosing vintage furniture, you reduce the demand for new raw materials, which helps to preserve forests and mitigate deforestation. Consider a vintage wooden dining table, like the dining table, model 227 designed by Arne Vodder in the 1950s, or the antique mahogany antique table. These pieces showcase the craftsmanship and quality of woods from the past, eliminating the need for newly cut timber and helping to preserve forest ecosystems.
Left image by Didi & Dora and sold on Bazaa
Right image by Nicole Mills and sold on Bazaa
Preserving Cultural Heritage: Each vintage piece carries its own history and craftsmanship, reflecting the styles and techniques of its era. By restoring and using these items, you help preserve cultural heritage and celebrate traditional design. A classic mid-century teak sideboard from the 1960s is not just a piece of furniture; it is a story of post-war innovation and minimalist design philosophy. Incorporating such a sideboard into your home preserves the artistry and vision of that era. Similarly, the mahogany sideboard from 1830, represents the elegance and grandeur of Regency-era craftsmanship, characterised by its rich, warm mahogany wood and intricate detailing.
Left image by Fabiano and sold on Bazaa
Right image by Valentines Antique Gallery and sold on Bazaa
Creating a Unique and Personalized Space: Vintage furniture offers a distinctive charm and individuality that mass-produced items often lack. Integrating these unique pieces into your home allows you to create a personalised and eclectic space that stands out. By choosing original pieces, like the mid-century pendant lights by Holmegaard, the "Puffy" dining chairs, or the vintage Spanish sailing boat, you create distinctive looks that reflect your individual style and make your home genuinely one-of-a-kind.
Left image by Curve Furniture and sold on Bazaa
Right image by Didi & Dora and sold on Bazaa