fast furniture
the environmental impact
In a world that rushes us from one moment to the next, it's all too easy to crave convenience at the expense of quality and sustainability. This is especially true when it comes to furnishing our homes. The allure of quick, affordable, and stylish pieces to fill our spaces is hard to resist. But have you ever stopped to think about the real cost of these cheap, mass-produced pieces? Spoiler alert: it's pretty hefty.
Pictured: Seth San Filippo, owner of Urban Lumber Co. and Urban Hardwoods
We're on a mission to change the narrative at Urban Lumber Co. (ULC) and Urban Hardwoods (UH). We're not just about making furniture but about making a difference. With each piece of beautifully crafted furniture, we tell a story — a story of resilience, sustainability, and conscious living. This contrasts with the transient nature of fast furniture, which leaves behind a trail of environmental woes, from deforestation and loss of biodiversity to carbon emissions and waste crisis.
The Eco-Price We Pay
Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss
First, let's talk about where all that cheap wood comes from. The demand for fast furniture fuels deforestation at an alarming rate. According to a 2019 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report, around 10 million hectares of forest are lost yearly. That's a lot of trees! This rampant deforestation destroys habitats and leads to a massive drop in biodiversity. Think of the rainforest, often dubbed the lungs of the Earth, being chopped down, and you'll get the picture. It's bad news for wildlife and the planet.
Impact on Indigenous Peoples and Communities
“ULC and UH began with the founder seeing the waste of urban wood and wanting to capture some of this material for furniture-grade lumber.”
Deforestation for fast furniture also hits Indigenous communities hard. It displaces them, disrupts their livelihoods, and erodes their cultural heritage. These communities, often stewards of biodiverse ecosystems, face food insecurity and loss of income as their forest resources are destroyed. The lack of land rights and human rights abuses add to their challenges.
Carbon Emissions
Forests act like giant sponges, soaking up carbon dioxide (CO2). When they're cut down, this carbon absorption stops, and the stored carbon is released into the air. The World Resources Institute (WRI) says deforestation accounts for about 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That's a big deal. Plus, transporting raw materials and finished products long distances consumes a lot of fossil fuels, adding to CO2 emissions and global warming.
Chemical Pollution
Let's not forget the chemicals. Fast furniture production involves some nasty stuff. Formaldehyde, used in wood glues and treatments, can leach into waterways, posing severe risks to ecosystems and human health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) points out that these chemicals can cause respiratory issues, cancer, and other health problems.
The Waste Crisis
Fast Furniture and Landfills
Fast furniture is like fast fashion — designed for short-term use. Once it serves its brief purpose, it heads to the landfill. In 2018, the EPA reported that 12.2 million tons of furniture and furnishings were discarded in the US alone, with 80.2% ending up in landfills. Globally, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates furniture generates about 92 million tons of waste annually.
Recycling Challenges
Even though some efforts are made to recycle and reuse furniture, most fast furniture is made from composite materials that are tough to recycle. A report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation shows that only 20% of furniture is recycled, with the rest ending up in incinerators or landfills, adding to the problem.
The Sustainable Alternative: UH and ULC
Enter ULC and UH. We're here to offer a better way. With Seth San Filippo at the helm, our businesses have over 40 years of combined experience capturing urban wood waste and turning it into high-quality, sustainable furniture. Our pieces are built to last generations, not just a few years.
Responsible Sourcing
We collaborate with local tree services, homeowners, businesses, and municipalities to salvage trees that need to be cut down due to disease, storm damage, danger to people or property, or development. Salvaging approximately 100,000 board feet a year, we consistently reduce waste and help minimize the impact on natural forest ecosystems. Plus, using locally sourced materials nearly eliminates the environmental impact of transportation and processing.
Quality and Longevity
Our furniture is crafted with meticulous care from start to finish. Each slab is air-dried for at least three years and kiln-dried to a 7-8% moisture content. This process ensures stability and durability, resulting in heirloom-quality furniture that can be passed down through generations.
Environmental and Aesthetic Benefits
Salvaged urban trees often have unique characteristics like knots, branch junctions, and complex grain patterns, which are usually removed in commercial lumber processing. At UH and ULC, we celebrate these features in our designs, creating aesthetically pleasing and functional furniture that reflects the unique character of each tree we salvage.
The Contrast with Fast Furniture
Operations Manager Dave Hunzicker sums it up perfectly: "The contrast with ULC and UH is complete. I'd place 'fast furniture' on one end of the spectrum of how to furnish a living space and UH and ULC near the other end of the spectrum. The only thing that would be more sustainable than our product/process would be to reuse old furniture."
Here's the grand finale: this stunning conference table, crafted from salvaged urban wood. This work of art, featured in the previous images, is the result of our meticulous process. From salvaging to crafting, every step honors the tree's story, creating a breathtaking, sustainable centerpiece that blends beauty with environmental responsibility.
Join the Movement
At ULC and UH, we believe every piece of furniture should tell a story—one of craftsmanship, longevity, and respect for our environment. By choosing sustainable, high-quality furniture, you can make a meaningful impact on our planet's future. Here are some practical steps to consider:
Purchase with Intention: Invest in high-quality furniture you love and plan to keep for years.
Support Local Artisans: Choose locally made products to reduce transportation's environmental impact and support sustainable practices.
Consider Recycled and Salvaged Materials: Opt for furniture made from recycled or salvaged materials to help reduce waste and promote a circular economy.
Join us in making a difference by choosing sustainable, high-quality furniture that elevates your living space and respects the planet. Together, we can move away from the disposable culture of fast furniture and towards a future where every piece of furniture is a testament to sustainability and craftsmanship.
Explore our collection at Urban Hardwoods and Urban Lumber Co. to start your journey toward a sustainable lifestyle.