From food to clothing to furniture, our buying choices add up over time and can have a significant impact on the planet. That’s why it’s important to support brands committed to sustainability and transparent about how their practices foster a greener future.

Local furniture retailer Copenhagen keeps this in mind when curating their collection of modern and contemporary furnishings and accessories. Drawing on their Scandinavian roots, Copenhagen features multiple environmentally conscious brands like Luonto of Finland, Stressless® of Norway, and Skovby of Denmark. 

“For us at Luonto, the classic principle of the Three R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) is a beautiful guide for defining the journey toward a more sustainable future,” says Justin Kaufman, Luonto’s Brand & Marketing Manager. “Furniture has become essential to our lives, and in Finland, where we come from, sustainability is equally essential to our way of life.”

Here are four of the most important things to look for when seeking sustainable brands — and why you should consider Copenhagen and Luonto for your next furniture purchase.

Eco-Friendly Materials 

Materials that are renewable or recycled, as well as ethically sourced and produced, are those that tend to be friendliest for the planet. Bamboo, organic cotton, and recycled polyester are three notable examples when it comes to furnishings. 

“At Luonto, we’re proud to have a fully recycled polyester fabric, as well as many fabrics that include recycled polyester in their composition,” Kaufman says. “This material, known as R-PES, is made from 100% recycled PET bottles — on average, one of our sofas uses about 500 bottles.” 

With R-PES upholstery and a welcoming design, the Haven Sleeper Sofa by Luonto is a highlight of Copenhagen’s collection. Haven features plush cushioning and a thoughtful construction that lets it easily convert to a King or Queen-sized bed — beautifully uniting sustainability, versatility, and comfort.

Copenhagen also offers many furnishings made from bamboo, considered one of the world’s most rapidly renewable resources. Did you know that bamboo becomes fully mature in less than 5 years and releases 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees? The Gabriel Bed, with its clean lines and solid amber bamboo construction, is one Copenhagen piece you can rest easy on, in every sense.

Sustainable Production Processes

Research brands you’re considering buying from to see what steps they have taken to make their manufacturing processes greener. For example, are they actively minimizing their emissions, or using renewable energy like solar, wind, or hydroelectric? Are water and other resources used efficiently, reducing waste? Are leftover materials repurposed?

“In Finland, sustainable processes at Luonto’s factories helps us to fully use raw materials and cut down on waste,” Kaufman explains. “Our wood cutting procedures result in nearly six tons of sawdust every week, but instead of discarding it, we compress this material into pellets to fuel furnaces in each of our production lines, with extra used to heat a local community.” 

Stressless® of Norway is another brand committed to sustainability as one of its core pillars. The makers of the renowned Stressless® recliners, Stressless® uses hydropower in its Norwegian factories, and 80% of their waste is reused, recycled or used for energy recovery. Visit your local Copenhagen and try out a Stressless® Mayfair Chair or a Stressless® Sky Mattress to experience the superior comfort of mindfully made furniture. 

Durability

Durability and sustainability go hand in hand, because high-quality products that last for years, decades, or even longer have a smaller footprint than products that must be discarded and replaced more often. 

“As a producer of fine functional furniture, Luonto builds pieces that can last a generation,” says Kaufman. “We source the highest-quality materials and implement testing and inspections at every step of our process, to reduce the need for replacement for at least ten years.” This means you can sit, sleep, and relax on your Luonto furniture far into the future, whether it’s a versatile Monika, a cozy Fantasy, or a plush Haven.

Based out of Denmark, Skovby is another eco-friendly brand that takes pride of place at Copenhagen. Not only does Skovby engage in sustainable practices such as sourcing materials locally and using leftover wood as fuel, but they are also driven by a passion for craftsmanship and functionality to create beautiful pieces that last. The Dutch Extension Table and Curve Sideboard are two examples of skilled designs that can easily stand the test of time.

Environmental Certifications 

Reputable certifications can be a helpful shorthand to signal that a company has met standards for aspects of environmental responsibility. For instance, if you’re shopping for wood furniture, try looking for brands that certify their wood through the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) — both are organizations that champion sustainable forest management. For textiles, certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or OEKO-TEX ensure that fabrics are organic or otherwise free of harmful substances. 

Relevant certifications often depend on what type of product you’re buying, so feel free to do additional research or reach out to a brand to learn more. For example, “All of Luonto’s fabric upholstery carries an OEKO-TEX or REACH certification,” explains Kaufman. “What’s more, all our foam is cold-cured and carries a CertiPUR-EU label, and all our wood components are sourced from FSC and PEFC certified suppliers.” Indeed, Luonto is a solid example of a company that not only talks about sustainability but has the credentials to back it up.

Sustainability is a multifaceted concept that covers everything from design to sourcing to production  and so much more. We hope these tips give you a helpful starting point in striving for a greener lifestyle. “We think sustainability is often lost in the marketplace and replaced by trends,” Kaufman expresses. “To us, sustainability is practical — we believe that responsible design is defined by the effort to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle at every level. It is in this balance that sustainability is achieved.” Browse sustainable furniture by Luonto, Stressless®, Skovby, and other brands at your nearest Copenhagen showroom or at CopenhagenLiving.com.