Circular Office: Fast Furniture

The furniture industry is becoming more aware of the environmental impact of its products. Many manufacturers are addressing these issues by using ocean-bound plastics, reducing embedded energy, and incorporating alternative materials, such as coffee waste and organic materials..

 

Fast furniture refers to mass-produced furniture made from low-quality, plastic-based materials, which typically have a shorter lifespan. Similar to fast fashion, where clothing is cheaply produced in large quantities to quickly reflect the latest runway trends, fast furniture is designed for rapid retail availability at a low cost and quality.

 

In the UK….

“According to a 2018/19 report by The North London Waste Authority, 22 million pieces of furniture are discarded each year in the UK, the majority of which goes directly to landfill. Climate action NGO WRAP estimates this to be the annual rate of 670,000 tonnes of furniture – much of it reusable.”

In the US….

“According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans threw out over 12 million tons of furniture and furnishings in 2018 (up from 2.2 million tons in 1960), and over 80% of it ended up in landfill. Add to that the carbon emissions caused by manufacturing and shipping, and the furniture industry is looking like the next big elephant in the climate crisis room.”

Consumers cannot bear the responsibility alone for addressing the global pandemic of fast furniture. Designers and manufacturers hold the power to adopt more sustainable practices, including responsible material sourcing, circular design, and reducing the embedded energy in products by utilising more efficient manufacturing and transportation methods.

So, how can we prevent furniture from ending up in landfills? What are the available options? Fortunately, there are numerous actions that both consumers and businesses can take to mitigate this devastating outcome.

Subscriptions:

Here at Circular Office Group, we offer subscription-based to furniture promote sustainability by supporting a circular economy, reducing waste, and optimising resource use. This model encourages responsible consumption, enhances product lifecycle management, and minimises our carbon footprint through efficient logistics and carbon offset initiatives by partnering with Carbon offsetting initiatives planting a tree for every subscription and offsetting all carbon emissions from deliveries. We aim to reduce environmental impact while improving workspace wellness.

 

Buying second-hand:

Buying second-hand furniture is a great way to find affordable options while also reducing environmental impact. When you buy second-hand, you are purchasing a product that was previously used and no longer wanted. Instead of ending up in a landfill, the item gets a second chance with a new owner. Websites like WFHshop.co.uk are excellent resources for finding affordable office furniture that has been fully restored and repaired, giving it a new lease on life.

Buying from Sustainable Brands: Making Responsible Choices

Choosing to buy from sustainable brands ensures that your furniture is sourced responsibly. These companies prioritise eco-friendly manufacturing and sustainable materials, reducing environmental impact while maintaining high-quality design.

Orange Box has teamed up with UBQ Materials to develop UBQ™, an innovative bio-based material made entirely from household waste. This breakthrough helps lower the carbon footprint of their seat pans by replacing traditional mineral talc in polypropylene (PP) with UBQ™—resulting in a composition of approximately 80% PP and 20% UBQ™. Additionally, the PP used contains 75% recycled content, with 90% sourced from post-consumer waste. Many industries are embracing simple material swaps to drive sustainable transformation, and Orangebox leads the way. Their Do-Better Chair exemplifies this shift, setting a new standard for integrating innovative raw materials into furniture design.

Founded in Copenhagen in 2006, Mater was created with sustainability as its foundation. The brand introduced Matek, a unique material that incorporates upcycled resources like coffee husks, coconut shells, and mango peels into its designs. By reimagining waste as a valuable resource, Mater demonstrates how sustainability and style can go hand in hand.

 

Images: Mater Design.

Transparency and the Circular Economy

One of the most compelling aspects of sustainable brands is their commitment to transparency. They openly share their processes, showing consumers exactly how they upcycle materials and minimise waste. By supporting these brands, businesses and individuals alike can challenge the status quo of the furniture industry—paving the way for a circular economy that reduces waste and conserves resources.

Together, conscious consumers and forward-thinking brands can create a more sustainable future—one furniture purchase at a time.

Sources:

1. Mater Design - Matek
   
   
2. UBQ Materials - Orangebox’s Best-Selling “Do” Office Chair Reformulated to “Do-Better” with UBQ Materials, Launching at Clerkenwell Design Week
   
   
3. Brightmark - Fast Furniture: What it is, Ways to Avoid it, and Ways to Shop Sustainably
   
   
4. CNN Style - Like fast fashion, ‘fast furniture’ is a problem for our planet
   
   
5. Ellen Macarthur Foundation - Saving office furniture from landfill