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A recent survey indicated that 52% of UK shoppers factor in green credentials when buying goods. More of us are taking sustainability and environmental concerns into account before making big purchases.
In this blog, we’ll look at some of the ways you can consider the environment when shopping for a new sofa that will help you reduce your carbon footprint and make a real difference.
What is sustainable furniture?
Essentially, it comes down to furniture that uses materials and processes which minimise their negative impact on the environment.
This could be through efforts such as recycling some materials, using others that come from renewable sources, minimising the use of potentially polluting chemicals and considering the whole lifecycle of the piece.
Can I buy sustainable sofas in the UK?
There are various options if you’re looking for a more sustainable way to shop for a sofa in the UK.
You could go down the second-life route and look for a preloved sofa. Or you could choose merchants who incorporate sustainable measures and initiatives into their production and distribution.
For example…
Swyft
Swyft’s refurbished collection includes a range of sofas that are in good-as-new condition. They also come with a 15-year frame guarantee and are reduced in price by up to 25%. This makes them a great option for someone looking for an affordable, eco-friendly solution.
Refurbished 03 3-Seater Left Chaise sofa
Was £2,970.00, now £1,782.00*
or from £148.50 per month with DivideBuy.
This stylish modular sofa offers various configuration options – so you can arrange it to fit your space and needs.
But what if you’d rather buy brand new? Not a problem – with Swyft, you can still shop sustainably, as even their new sofa range offers:
– A choice of using sustainable natural fabrics, such as organic cotton or linen. These take less energy to produce than synthetic materials and have a lower impact on the planet.
– Frames made with traceable, sustainable timber. This means that for the timber used in every sofa, new trees are planted to minimise the environmental impact.
– Flat-packed delivery that has a lower carbon footprint than delivering pre-assembled sofas. This means more units can be transported in each delivery vehicle.
– Carbon offsetting with every furniture purpose. Swyft funds carbon offsetting projects with twice the equivalent typical amount of carbon produced by the manufacturing process.
Here’s one of our favourite picks from this range:
This Model 04 Sofa Bed is highly practical as well as beautiful. It offers natural linen fabric, classic lines and the flexibility of being a bed as well as a comfortable, stylish sofa.
*All prices listed are accurate as of 1/11/2022
Want sustainable mattress options too?
If you’re replacing your mattress and want to recycle your old one to keep it from landfill, take a look at our mattress recycling guide
Snug
Snug is another of our retail partners taking sustainability seriously.
Its Snug for Good campaign outlines the measures it takes to be a positive change for the environment, including:
– Using 100% recyclable packaging with sofa deliveries.
– Using sustainable wood from managed forests in their sofas, and planting five new trees for every sofa sold.
– Minimising the manufacturing carbon footprint by doing as much as possible of it in the UK.
– Using delivery partners that offer a carbon neutral service.
– Only vegan materials used in creating Snug sofas.
– Upcycling returned sofas to be resold in showrooms as ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ products.
Here’s one of our top picks from Snug’s latest range:
Perfect for smaller spaces, this deceptively spacious snuggler sofa with chaise is ideal for cosy autumn nights in front of the telly.
*All prices listed are accurate as of 1/11/2022
Are sustainable sofas more expensive?
Our retail partners selling sustainable sofas believe that being environmentally responsible is important. They also believe the quality of materials should be made to last.
Buying a sustainable sofa doesn’t necessarily mean spending more. But if spreading the cost is something that will help you budget, DivideBuy can help with interest-free instalments on your purchase.
You can even compare payment methods to find the perfect solution for your budget and needs!
