SPACE SOLUTIONS:

DESIGNING A MORE SUSTAINABLE WORKPLACE

A look into three key areas of consideration that directly impact long-term eco-friendliness of the space.

DESIGN INSIGHT

When it comes to supporting the environment, most businesses can do better by designing a more sustainable workplace. Sustainable office space is proven to positively impact employee wellness and productivity. As far as furnishings go, there are three key areas of consideration that directly impact long-term eco-friendliness of the space.

MATERIALS + MANUFACTURING

The adage, “Good In = Good Out” is true for office furnishings. Material selection and manufacturing processes have a direct impact on the overall eco-friendliness of the product and the subsequent impact on individuals using the space. Truly sustainable products are manufactured from renewable resources in facilities using natural energy sources and are easy to recycle. Most commercial grade furniture manufacturers now publish a life-cycle analysis of their core products, making it easy for a designer or facilities manager to evaluate and select eco-friendly products.

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LIFECYCLE + LONGEVITY

The longer a piece of office furniture can remain useful and in use, the more sustainable it is. Typically, commercial grade furniture is designed to perform for 10-years, meeting a broad range of performance-based criteria established to keep workers safe in office environments. Throughout the warranty period, manufacturers will repair or replace furnishings, which is an eco-friendlier alternative to disposing of the product.

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NEXT LIFE + THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Inevitably, a piece of furniture becomes not used, or not useful. Before you toss it, ask yourself if it could be utilized elsewhere within your company, if the materials and components could be recycled, or if it could be donated to an organization in need.

The EPA estimates up to 8.5 million tons of office furniture end up in landfills annually in the United States. If everyone takes small steps toward sustainable furniture manufacturing and repurposing or recycling furnishings, we can make bigger strides toward a more sustainable workplace and industry.

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