Environmental benefit of upcycling Furniture

The simple act of upcycling furniture means it isn’t being thrown into a

landfill where toxic chemicals like methane and carbon dioxide are released

into the environment. 

If you need furniture and don't have anything to upcycle, our Queen Bee,

Peggy Burns, recommended shopping around for used furniture. It’s a

more sustainable option, and if you’re on a budget, it’s better than buying

an inexpensive piece that may not be built to last and throwing it away in a

year (or less).

Now if you aren’t going to upcycle, donating to a friend or local charity is a

better alternative compared to throwing your furniture in the trash since

you’re giving someone else the opportunity to repurpose it.

While upcycling itself is beneficial to the environment, there are additional

eco-friendly practices you can follow throughout the process. For example,

you can buy non-toxic paints, finishes, and stains for any wood furniture

you’re upcycling. A company like Rubio Monocoat sells plant-based oil

wood finishes that are free of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which

release harmful chemicals into the air.

 
For furniture that needs to be reupholstered, look for eco-friendly fabrics

that are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified. This means they

qualify as organic and environmentally-safe. 

Upcycling has evolved over the years, offering a creative and eco-friendly

way to turn your trash into treasure. Give it a try one day to see how you

can repurpose your old furniture.