Use Sustainable Office Furniture

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Affordability

Used office furniture is plentiful in most B.C. jurisdictions. With numerous online buy/sell sites such Craigslist, FreeCycle and eBay, it is even easier to find what you are looking for at an affordable price – and to sell or give away furniture you no longer need.

Suppliers of sustainable new furnishings have become more abundant as consumer demand for ethical and ecological products has increased. Increased demand has also helped reduce the relative price of these products.

Cost savings

Buying used furniture can save money while still providing quality furniture.

Environmental considerations

Purchase used furniture when possible. Buying used is the best option for a low carbon footprint, since no additional production is required. When retiring old office furniture, resell it or donate to a non-profit organization, rather than sending to landfill.

What you need to know

• Two significant considerations when buying office furniture are: how the materials in it were sourced and produced and the impact they will have on your interior air quality and employees' health.
• If you are concerned about the price tag for new, sustainable items, think about lifetime costs – in some cases, the "green" option may be more durable and may outlast the conventional product. Remember that choices that are good for the environment can create non-monetary benefits, such as employee pride and engagement, which can offset any additional purchase price.
• Many materials used in furniture, from fabrics to foam, partitions to desktops to paints, release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for a period of time after they are manufactured. (Think of that "new car" or "new upholstery" smell.) In some cases, these VOCs are known or suspected carcinogens. In an office environment, where multiple workstations may be new at the same time, and air circulation may not be optimal, this "off-gassing" can cause significant deterioration of indoor air quality. Employees who spend extended periods of time in the workplace may experience headaches or other health impacts when exposed to poor air quality.
• EcoLogo is a Canadian body that certifies products – including office products ranging from chairs to envelopes – that are in compliance with EcoLogo environmentally friendly criteria. A list of EcoLogo certified office products is available on their website.
• Greenguard is a U.S. certification system related to indoor air quality. Products carrying the Greenguard mark have been tested for low VOC-output. Look for the Greenguard mark on office furniture and other interior products.
• When buying wood products, look for those using wood harvested from sustainably managed forests. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international system that certifies forests managed with long-term environmental, social and economic impacts in mind. Many office furniture producers offer FSC options.
• For desks and other wood furniture, avoid wood treated with formaldehyde (particleboard, fibreboard, plywood). Instead, choose solid wood with a non-toxic finish or ask your retailers if they have formaldehyde-free plywood, particleboard or fibreboard available. Asking can not only provide you with the best products, it also sends a message through the supply chain that there is demand for non-toxic options.

FAQ

How can I know if the product I’m buying for the office will off-gas volatile organic compounds?
It is hard to know which products will cause problems. Luckily, it is easy to know which will not. Greenguard maintains an extensive catalogue of products that have been certified, from doors to paints to textiles to flooring and countertops.

Purchasing at my office is not really in my hands – we have a purchasing department. How can I encourage them to adopt greener practices and source environmentally friendly products?
Buy Smart BC is an excellent resource for people involved in purchasing. It offers workshops, resources and an online forum to help companies assess the impacts of their purchasing practices and shift towards better social and environmental practices.