Furniture and textiles
- Pic: Craig Robertson Photography for Beacon Pathway Ltd
Some of the chemicals used in furniture and textiles can be harmful for your health.
To limit any harmful effects to yourself and your family, and to look after the environment, look for furniture and textiles that:
- are durable
- are low in emissions of volatile organic compounds
- are made from recycled or sustainably grown/produced materials
- can be dismantled and recycled at the end of their useful life
- have independent environmental labelling or certification.
Toxicity, emissions and air quality
Volatile organic compounds
The materials used in furniture and textiles may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are chemicals that become airborne (and therefore breathable) at room temperature. VOCs can have health effects - for example, some VOCs have been linked to asthma. VOCs - such as formaldehyde and benzene may be present in:
- adhesives
- padding made from synthetic foams
- surface treatments used to make textiles more durable, stain-resistant or pest-resistant
- 'engineered' timber products such as MDF and plywood - the resins used to make these products can contain formaldehyde
- wood finishes such as paint and polyurethane
- plastics.
To minimise your exposure to VOCs:
- Look for furniture made with untreated timber. Or, if you’re considering furniture made from engineered timber or reconstituted wood products, look for products with low emissions. Any article made from these products should be sealed to minimise emissions of VOCs.
- Look for furniture, cushions etc that use padding made from natural materials such as cotton or wool, or from recycled polyester or plastic. Avoid furniture that uses polyurethane foams for padding
- Polyurethane emits VOCs and polyurethane foam padding contains hazardous compounds such as methylene chloride and fluorocarbons.
- Look for natural finishes, or finishes that are water-based or acrylic-based. Even products that appear natural - such as bamboo, wool and wood may have finishes that emit VOCs. See painting and decorating for more about what to look for in paints and finishes.
- Any material that emits VOCs or contains heavy metals will be potentially harmful during manufacture. By choosing healthy materials, you’ll be contributing to workplace safety as well as your own.
Tanning, wool scouring and dyeing
Significant amounts of metal compounds and chemicals may be used during tanning, wool scouring and dyeing processes. While the residual levels of these compounds/chemicals may be low in the finished products, the waste streams from processing can be highly toxic to workers and waterways. Textiles using plant-based dyes are preferable, but not widely available.
Recyclability, re-use and waste minimisation
Products made from natural materials will generally biodegrade without causing any environmental harm, provided they haven’t been blended with non-biodegradable synthetic materials. Textiles can generally be recycled, as can metal fittings provided they are disassembled.
MDF cannot be recycled and should not be burned.
Recycled synthetic materials
Some plastics (such as PET polyethylene terephthalate from bottles) and some resins are recycled for use in furniture frames and fabrics. Some plastics used in furniture and fittings are also recycled.
PVC is used for vinyl upholstery and plastics. - recycling can be limited in New Zealand, especially if it is blended with other compounds. Some plastic components may use recycled PVC.
Design for re-use
Some furniture products are designed for easy dismantling and re-use at the end of their life. They may also be designed to have fewer components and use less material than comparable alternatives. If a product is designed for reuse, this will generally be promoted by the supplier/retailer.
Sourcing
Furniture may be made from several different materials, sourced from different parts of the world. It can be difficult to be sure whether the materials are non-toxic and come from sustainable sources.
However, as a general guide:
- Look for furniture made from renewable or recycled materials. Renewable materials include bamboo, sisal, coir, jute, silk and cotton (which are imported) and wool, possum fur, hemp and untreated wood (which are grown in New Zealand).
- Support suppliers who provide information on what materials are used, how the product is made, and how it can be recycled - especially when there is an emphasis on the use of renewable or recycled materials with low toxicity and good durability.
- Look for Environmental Choice New Zealand labelling. This label is independent and government-endorsed. A product will only be licensed to use the label if it contains minimal levels of toxic substances. See the Environmental Choice New Zealand website for more information.
- Look for wood components that are certified as coming from a sustainable source. See decking and outdoor furniture for more about timber certification schemes.
Organic certification may be available for some fibres such as cotton and wool.
Sustainability
Sustainable land use
Plant-based materials (including timber) are used extensively in furniture and textiles. They offer a biodegradable and renewable alternative to non-recycled synthetic materials, but should be produced in a sustainable way to minimise harm to land and waterways from chemical use and cultivation.
Consider organic cotton, hemp and wool as alternatives to standard cotton and non-recycled synthetic fibres. Hemp crops need less water, and few pesticides compared to conventionally grown cotton - which requires large quantities of water and pesticides to grow.
Sustainable design
Sustainable design features for furniture and fittings can include:
- packing products flat for efficient transporting
- ease of disassembly for re-use or disposal
- minimising the amount of materials and energy used to make the product
- use of recycled materials
- use of non-toxic finishes.
The combination of these features contributes to creating healthier products with a reduced environmental impact from manufacturing and waste disposal.
Sustainable Purchasing
Well made furniture will be durable and will be worth repairing or refurbishing. This means you minimize demand on resources of manufacture.
Efficiency and functionality
Furniture needs to be durable so it can stand up to daily wear and tear. Many synthetic fibres and materials (such as plastics) are durable and low-maintenance. You’ll need to balance this against the environmental impacts of the manufacturing process and the potential impact on your health from the release of VOCs during use.
For durability, hemp fibre is a robust, long-lasting material with good ultraviolet resistance and thermal qualities. It is an effective option for upholstery and curtains. Fibre blends (wool/cotton; cotton/hemp) can also deliver durable options for textiles.
More information
From Smarter Homes
From ConsumerBuild
From other sites
The Environmental Choice New Zealand website has information about independent labeling of environmentally friendly carpets, textiles and furniture.
Ecospecifier is an Australian website with guidelines about selection of healthy building products and materials including furniture and textiles.
The Building Biology and Ecology Institute’s website has publications on natural building materials.
