When we decide to renovate the bedroom, we rarely wonder where the furniture we are replacing will end up. Yet the answer to that question is at the heart of what we call the circular economy.
True sustainability is thinking long term
We often think that “eco-friendly” means only “recyclable.” In reality, the absolute most sustainable act is to choose furniture made to last decades. A low-quality bed made of cheap particleboard has an average life span of 5-10 years. In contrast, a high-quality solid wood or metal bed can span generations. Reducing the frequency of purchase is the first and most effective form of going green.
The main problem with modern “disposable” furniture is not just its fragility, but its chemical composition. Chipboards are an amalgam of scrap wood held together by large amounts of synthetic glues and resins (which often release formaldehyde into the home). Once the furniture breaks down, separating the wood from the glue to recycle it is nearly impossible and uneconomical. The result? It almost always ends up in landfills or incinerators.
Three practical tips for a sustainable bed
To prevent your next bed from becoming a bulky waste anytime soon, here are three practical tips:
- Favors joints: a piece of furniture that uses quality wood joints or mechanical hardware is easier to disassemble, move, and repair
- Watch out for finishes: choose natural oils or water-based paints. Besides being healthier for sleepers, they do not compromise the recyclability of wood
- Invest in quality: a higher initial cost pays for itself over time, saving the planet the burden of dealing with early waste
At SpazioBed, we guarantee you exceptional durability of our products thanks to high-quality solid wood, but not only that. When you feel the need for a change, we take back your used SpazioBed and reuse the wood, adapting it to your new needs. In this way we save natural resources, cut down fewer trees, and reduce our footprint on the environment.