Is bamboo sustainable?

Bamboo is considered a sustainable material for furniture, but there are some concerns surrounding it. Although it is more renewable than other sources, it is important to consider the entire lifecycle of the product and how it is made. Some bamboo furniture is manufactured using adhesives and chemical finishes, which can be harmful to the environment. Therefore, it is recommended to look for products certified by sustainable organisations such as the FSC, to ensure that the furniture piece is eco-friendly and sustainable. It's worth noting that all our wooden furniture is FSC-certified.

Is all wood furniture sustainable?

Although wood is naturally renewable, not all wood furniture is sustainable. The wood source, how it's harvested, and the manufacturing process can contribute to an unsustainable piece of wood furniture. Look out for certifications, the type of wood (such as beech), and the warranty to ensure the piece of furniture is sustainable and durable.

Is sustainable furniture the future of interior design?

Sustainable furniture is rapidly becoming the cornerstone of future interior design, transforming spaces with style and environmental consciousness. As regulatory standards tighten and global awareness of eco-friendly living rises, consumers increasingly seek ethical and sustainable choices in interior design. The demand for green alternatives drives innovation in materials and manufacturing processes, inspiring designers to create aesthetically pleasing, functional, and eco-conscious furniture. Corporate sustainability initiatives are also influencing office spaces, with a focus on creating environmentally friendly work environments. The circular economy concept, emphasising durability and recyclability, is gaining momentum, aligning seamlessly with the ethos of sustainable furniture. As awareness grows, commercial interiors are shifting towards responsible design and consumption, which profoundly impacts the future landscape of interior aesthetics.

Selecting environmentally friendly materials

May 20, 2024

Saxen has a company-wide objective of achieving Net Zero by 2050. One of the ways we're aiming to achieve this is by exclusively sourcing from manufacturers that use sustainable furniture materials. Beyond aesthetics, furniture should also be durable, circular, and safe.

Saxen supply furniture made from a range of high-quality natural resources. Not only does this include the usual - bamboo, metal, wood - but you'll also find furniture made from more innovative materials - recycled polyester, hemp, and glass. Creating an eco workspace is one way to reconnect with nature. We invite you to explore the essence of nature in the workspace with our list of eco-friendly furniture materials.

close up of a table with wooden countertops

What is sustainable furniture?

When looking for s ustainable office furniture, it's important to understand what sustainability is and what makes a piece 'green'.

Sustainability refers to the practice of using resources in a way that protects the Earth long-term (source). Unsustainability occurs when we consume resources more quickly than they can be replenished, eventually depleting the source. In the context of furniture, sustainability involves crafting pieces from renewable or recycled materials, putting the planet first.

This looks like:

> Using renewable materials.

> Using non-toxic materials.

> Avoid materials that can't be recycled.

> Using renewable energy sources.

> Long-lasting and versatile furniture.

> Up-cycled furniture.

> Organic furniture.

> Fair-trade furniture.

> Eco-friendly delivery and packaging.

Sustainable furniture materials for your office

In the current landscape, choosing sustainable furniture materials is easier than ever before. There are numerous innovative, original, and sustainable manufacturers who can transform your workspace with their products. Explore this curated list to garner inspiration for your workspace, featuring eco-friendly materials and manufacturers committed to sustainability.

Wood

Saxen guarantees the responsible sourcing of all its furniture, sourced exclusively from FSC-certified sustainable forests. These forests adhere to stringent environmental and economic standards, ensuring the preservation of biological diversity and providing local benefits. The wood is harvested sustainably, with no net loss of forest, allowing the trees to continue playing a crucial role in climate regulation.

Steel storage by Bisley, supplied by Saxen

Steel

Steel is considered one of the most sustainable materials due to its 100 per cent recyclability and 93 per cent recycled content (source). This circular material can repeatedly avoid landfills or incinerators, being reused time and time again in various forms, including desks, storage units, and lockers.

Rear view of the Ergohuman Elite office chair by Comfort Seating. The chair is in a grey frame with green mesh. It's at a desk with monitors and other Ergohuman chairs.

Aluminium

Like steel, aluminium can be infinitely recycled. Recycling aluminium also saves 95 per cent of energy compared to producing aluminium from raw materials (source). Aluminium can be used for many products, such as bases for ergonomic office chairs.

Two chairs by Vepa. One is a tall stool with black legs and a shallow seat. The other seat is more traditional with a blue soft seat and black legs.

Hemp

Hemp is a versatile plant that contributes to many fresh and organic space ideas while also reducing companies' carbon footprints. In contrast to cotton, hemp cultivation demands less water and fewer pesticides, establishing it as an environmentally friendly alternative (source). Additionally, hemp grows quickly, and every part of the plant can be used in some way.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a beautiful and sustainable material that we feature often in our product lines. It requires less energy to grow, supplies biofuel, and produces more oxygen than other plants (source). It also traps high quantities of carbon dioxide, contributing to a cleaner environment and office space.

Close up view of the green seat on the RePlay Zero chair by Carmira with a white backrest.

Recycled Polyester

Recycled polyester is excellent for upholstering soft seating and office chairs, using 79 per cent less carbon emissions than new polyester (source). Using recycled polyester for furniture materials also prevents the waste from entering waterways and landfills.

Close up view of the VerdEco soft seat by Agua in a teal colour, made from recycled polyster

Recycled Textile Waste

Furniture made from recycled textile waste uses materials that would have otherwise been sent to landfill. This includes both industrial textile waste and post-consumer waste. Through a variety of recycling processes, such as mechanical recycling, the material can be reused for stunning furniture.

VerdEco (above) was released last autumn and is a first for Agua. A sustainable collection, VerdEco is made from 100% upcycled textile waste, using a mechanical recycling and re-spinning process that is completely water-free. In fact, upholster a three-seat sofa in VerEco and you’ll save an average of 250 litres of water. With melange yarns and a robust hopsack weave, there’s not an environment that VerdEco won’t flatter, and using this collection will boost your project’s environmental credentials, too.

The Kyoto chair sits in a clean office space with multi-coloured walls. There is a side table next to the chair with two vases. There are two hanging brown lights above the chair and table.

Wool

Wool is a circular material that is renewable, 100% natural, and recyclable. It's also easy to maintain, clean, and repair, making it a durable choice. When choosing furniture that utilises greener manufacturing processes and lower greenhouse gases, consider wool.

An environmentally-friendly boardroom table. The table’s legs are inspired by the shape of a whale’s imposing skeleton and are made of robust PEFC oak. The surface is finished using PET felt that has been heated and pressed to give it a luxurious look and feel.
The intermediate layer of the table top is also made from recycled PET bottles.

Recycled PET

Recycled PET, typically from plastic bottles and food packaging, is a light and durable material. One of the most significant advantages of recycled PET products is their ability to be recycled almost infinitely, reducing greenhouse gas emissions for decades. Utilising recycled PET in furniture production provides an effective solution to the problem of plastic waste generation and excess waste.

Three Blue Finn chairs in a white environment.

Recycled Blue Wrap Hospital Waste

Saxen is continually exploring novel approaches to support the development of a circular economy. One of our select sustainable options is the Blue Finn from Vepa, which uses hospital waste to create a stackable chair. The final product is made from at least 85 per cent recycled blue wrap and is itself 100 per cent recyclable. Complete with a steel wire frame and available in four different sizes, this is a fresh furniture design.

A large circular reception table in an open plan building. The tile is a pinky orange colour with blue detailing and white countertops. In the background are three seating booths with tables and hanging lights.

Recycled Glass

Recycled glass is another material with an infinite life cycle. Endlessly recyclable, recycled glass cuts back on waste and saves natural resources. Saxen can utilise recycled glass for tabletops from Diamik, which sources and processes post-consumer glass to manufacture stunning surfaces of various designs.

Why choose sustainable office furniture?

Saxen provides sustainable commercial space planning services. You might wonder why we do it? Well, we have our reasons.

Firstly, we are on track to be carbon neutral by 2050. We owe it to the planet that serves us. Partnering with sustainable manufacturers allows us to focus on our net zero goals and help clients with theirs, too.

Secondly, sustainable furniture is much more energy efficient. Conserving energy is extremely important to contributing to a greener planet. Choosing sustainable furniture materials also aligns with health and well-being practices. Materials that emit less harmful substances, such as volatile organic compounds, ensure a healthier workspace for employees.

Another significant reason we choose eco-friendly furniture materials is because durability is important to us. Trends are fleeting, but timeless and long-lasting pieces are what's most important. High-quality materials and craftsmanship create furniture that lasts longer and reduces the need for frequent replacements. Not only does this save resources, but it contributes to long-term cost savings for businesses.

Making your workspace more eco-friendly

Think of the future and how you want it to look. With a forward focus, making sustainable decisions is of the essence. Here are a few simple ways you can make your office more eco-friendly and reduce your carbon footprint:

> Refurbish
When a piece of furniture is nearing the end of its life, give us a call. We have a new refurbishment facility where we can breathe new life into old products.

> Lighting
Switch to LED or energy-efficient lighting to reduce energy consumption and extend the lifespan of bulbs.

> Recycle
Implement waste reduction strategies, such as promoting recycling, reducing paper usage, and encouraging employees to minimise waste. Saxen can recycle your furniture for you, ensuring they don't end up in landfill.

> Green cleaning

Use eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaning products to reduce the environmental impact of office cleaning.

> Water conservation

Implement water-saving measures, such as low-flow taps, toilets, and efficient irrigation systems.

> Carbon offsetting programmes

Invest in carbon offsetting programs to neutralise the carbon footprint associated with business operations.

Frequently asked questions

Is bamboo sustainable?

Bamboo is considered a sustainable material for furniture, but there are some concerns surrounding it. Although it is more renewable than other sources, it is important to consider the entire lifecycle of the product and how it is made.

Some bamboo furniture is manufactured using adhesives and chemical finishes, which can be harmful to the environment. Therefore, it is recommended to look for products certified by sustainable organisations such as the FSC, to ensure that the furniture piece is eco-friendly and sustainable. It's worth noting that all our wooden furniture is FSC-certified.
Is all wood furniture sustainable?

Although wood is naturally renewable, not all wood furniture is sustainable. The wood source, how it's harvested, and the manufacturing process can contribute to an unsustainable piece of wood furniture. Look out for certifications, the type of wood (such as beech), and the warranty to ensure the piece of furniture is sustainable and durable.
Is sustainable furniture the future of interior design?

Sustainable furniture is rapidly becoming the cornerstone of future interior design, transforming spaces with style and environmental consciousness. As regulatory standards tighten and global awareness of eco-friendly living rises, consumers increasingly seek ethical and sustainable choices in interior design.

The demand for green alternatives drives innovation in materials and manufacturing processes, inspiring designers to create aesthetically pleasing, functional, and eco-conscious furniture. Corporate sustainability initiatives are also influencing office spaces, with a focus on creating environmentally friendly work environments.

The circular economy concept, emphasising durability and recyclability, is gaining momentum, aligning seamlessly with the ethos of sustainable furniture. As awareness grows, commercial interiors are shifting towards responsible design and consumption, which profoundly impacts the future landscape of interior aesthetics.

Contact Saxen to elevate your workspace with sustainable design and innovative solutions. Our comprehensive services, from innovative office furniture and move management, to expert space planning and refurbishment, will transform your office into a sustainable and stylish haven. Reach out for a consultation and take the first step toward a workspace that reflects your values.