Old Becomes New

A table is just a table to some, but to others it is a symbol of the future health of the planet and humans in general. From the woven rug on the cement slab to the stylish Adirondack chair on the patio, going green outside is easier than ever as consumers push for more environmentally friendly outdoor furniture.

A recent Nielsen report, “Doing Well by Doing Good,” surveyed 30,000 consumers in 60 countries on their penchant for purchasing environmentally friendly furniture. More than half of the respondents preferred to pay extra for products and services from companies committed to a positive social and environmental impact. Millennials led the pack, going the extra mile to ensure products were green and local.

Sustainable, or green, furniture uses recycled materials as a base, but also considers the impact that manufacturing processes and the shipping involved in getting that perfect piece to your patio will have on the environment. Manufacturers, designers and users of sustainable furniture strive to create pieces that have a low environmental impact at the front end and can then be recycled after its useful life has passed.

Making environmentally savvy choices for your outdoor space has become a hot topic in the furniture market as consumers continue to clamor for more green options, said Susan Inglis, executive director of the Sustainable Furnishings Council in North Carolina, an educational organization that assists consumers and professional buyers who seek eco-friendly products for their homes.

“Two excellent examples in outdoor (sustainable furniture) trends are recycled plastic milk jugs made into chairs and recycled aluminum made into chairs, tables, etcetera,” she said.

Taking materials out of the waste stream and moving them into the industrial feed stream is a very important trend for the future, Inglis said.

“Our research shows that people are worried in fairly equal measure about all the many issues that fall under the wide sustainability umbrella, (such as) the climate crisis, depletion of natural resources, toxic waste pollution and toxins in our indoor environments,” she said.

More and more people are personally affected by environmental problems, Inglis said. Global warming and climate change bring the issue to consumers’ front door, making them aware of their personal responsibility in protecting the environment. That concern is reflected in their furniture buying choices.

“For instance, as extreme weather events hit their area they experience the misery and the expense firsthand, or as someone in their family is sickened by pollution, they realize that expense themselves,” she said. “These things are costly in many ways, not just financially, so more and more people are worried about whether they and their children will be able to experience a healthy future.”

It’s not all doom and gloom. As the trend grows, sustainable furniture is becoming more affordable and innovative.

“The best news is that there is no one style that we are confined to when we want to be sure we are choosing an eco-friendly product,” Inglis said. “There are good choices in all styles and at all price points, such as products made of recycled materials, of certified wood, of bamboo, and products made close to home.”

Two outdoor furniture design companies that the the Sustainable Furnishings Council recommends are The Patio Daddyo with its surfboard motif and the family-owned Three Coins Cast.

Formed in 1989, Three Coins Cast uses a cast aluminum product that is welded, prepped and hand-finished to withstand the extreme temperatures of any climate without compromising the integrity of the design or structure. The family has watched the desire for sustainable products continue to gain traction in the outdoor furniture market over the past 25 years.

“I think the growth of sustainable products is so popular because today’s consumers are more educated and aware of the benefits long term of products that help protect our environment,” said Susana Powell, owner of Three Coins Cast who began working for her family company in 2001.

The company has chosen aluminum for its environmentally friendly features as well as its aesthetic.

“Our sustainable, fully-welded, solid-cast aluminum is a superior choice because it does not rust or break down with time,” she said. “Every (professional show) I attend I have people come to my showroom who also bought from my parents between 15-20 years ago and still love their furniture.”

Three Coins Cast’s Windsor line is its most popular product this summer. Its Windsor settee was named one of the Best New Home Products for 2013 by This Old House magazine.

“Besides being made from 100 percent recycled aluminum, it is in itself a replica of the historic Windsor wooden chair that has been around for centuries,” Powell said.

Locals are asking for sustainable products in larger numbers as they become more educated, said Angela Britt, owner and interior designer at Deziner Originals.

“It contributes to the longevity of the earth’s resources,” the longtime local designer said. “You acquire products that are not harmful to you and your family’s health, and they are just as stylish and well-made as (traditional) products.”

Most sustainable products offer added benefits of being unique in some way, which creates an interest by consumers. She recently designed a fabric and leather sectional from Norwalk Furniture using recycled materials and installed a floor made of recycled 24-inch-by-24-inch cork squares in a Strip condominium floor for a leatherlike look that is durable and interesting to the eye.

“We all want to have and share experiences that enhance our lifestyle,” she said, “and purchasing sustainable home furnishings gives us a sense of being a part of the greater good for all.”