Choose Sustainable Modular Armchairs & Sofas
Instead of just plonking a sofa in front of the TV with an armchair either side, interior designers say that to encourage conversation, it’s far better to arrange items in an L-shape (with a coffee table between you, so you can still see the TV, but it’s no the focus of everyone’s attention.
Habbio (vegan modular armchairs & sofas)
Habbio is England’s first vegan-certified sofa (the company also makes armchairs and sofa-beds, including refurbished ones for people on a budget). These items are modular. So if your family expands (or you move to a bigger house), you don’t have to buy a new sofa. Just ‘add to it’ with a new piece.
You can dissembles the sofas (no tools required) so it’s easy to move house with them, and are delivered in a box that squeezes through doorways (and goes upstairs without your swearing!)
They use sustainably-sourced wood and fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles (if laundering, use a microfiber filter). You can also buy loose replacement covers, in case you have a red wine accident!
Sold with a 15-year guarantee, these sofas are made in Derbyshire by artisans from a family with 70 years experience in making furniture. Their workers are paid at least 20% more than the living wage, with no zero hour contracts.
This company uses 90% fewer chemicals than other sofa makers, and chooses nontoxic and biodegradable alternatives where possible (tomatoes have more formaldehyde!) You can even order collection of your old sofa for recycling.
Cat and Dog Hair Removers (bamboo & metal)
This sustainable cat hair remover is made from sustainable premium bamboo and durable metal, a reusable lint roller alternative to keep clothes, furniture and carpets free from pet hair.
Just glide over soft surfaces, and watch as the grooved metal bar lifts hairs. Ethically made, it’s also available in a dog-hair removing design!
How to clean sofas and armchairs
Shake out cushions each week and hoover any crumbs underneath. If you can’t wash covers, mix a teaspoon each of unscented dishwash liquid, white vinegar, baking soda and warm water, to froth up. Apply to stains with a plastic-free sponge, rinse and leave to dry.
Coasters & Bowls (made from recycled newspaper)
Stop spills, by using these recycled newspaper coasters, sold as a set in their own holder. Handmade by a social enterprise in Sri Lanka, these coasters help to reduce the amount of global waste, and cut down on use of unsustainable resources.
These recycled newspaper bowls can be used to stash keys or anything that could get lost. You could even use them as tip trays for small shops and restaurants.
Don’t put sweets or chocolate in them, near young children or pets.
It’s true that newspaper breaks down in landfills (unlike plastic). But this still causes methane, a potent greenhouse gas to be released. So making old newspapers into other things, helps to reduce emissions and therefore climate change.
Drinks coasters (made from recycled ocean plastic)
These ocean plastic coasters make a lovely unique zero waste gift for others or yourself, to protect table tops. Unlike most coasters that are made from plastic, these are made from ocean plastic, which has been collected by hand from the scenic Cornish coast. So good for marine creatures too!
Sold in sets of 2 to 4, the more people buy these, the more the fishing nets, water bottle tops, buckets and spades this brand can remove from the ocean (the colours are naturally derived from whatever is collected).
And due to being plastic, the coasters are strong and waterproof, and should last you years. By supporting this brand, you can leave a legacy of cleaner oceans in Cornwall, for years to come.
