What Makes Furniture Sustainable? (And Why It Actually Matters)

La-Z-Boy Southeast | January 27, 2023

Picture this: It’s 2018, and somewhere in America, 10 million tons of furniture are being dumped into landfills. That’s roughly the weight of 65,000 Statues of Liberty. Every. Single. Year.

The kicker? Only 40,000 tons got recycled. That’s like throwing away 99.6% of all the furniture we ditched that year.

If that statistic surprises you, you’re not alone. But understanding where all this furniture waste comes from is the first step toward making better choices. And the good news? There’s a solution that’s gaining momentum: sustainable furniture.

How to Shop for Sustainable Furniture

1. Ask the Right Questions

When you’re furniture shopping, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Who makes this furniture? How is it manufactured? What materials are used? A knowledgeable sales consultant should be able to provide clear answers about construction, materials, and manufacturing practices.

Here’s a secret from the industry: over 80% of a furniture piece’s value is what you can’t see. The frame construction, the spring system, the joinery—that’s where quality lives. In a reputable store, consultants should be able to show you cross-sections, explain construction methods, and tell you exactly where your furniture will be made.

2. Material Matters

Solid wood and wood products? Good sign. They’re natural, sustainable, and built to last. Heavy use of plastic? That’s worth reconsidering. Plastic is inexpensive to produce but can take hundreds of years to decompose.

And don’t overlook fabrics. Companies like La-Z-Boy have developed sustainable fabric lines made from recycled materials that are just as durable and comfortable as traditional fabrics. You can make an environmentally conscious choice without compromising on quality.

3. Durability = Sustainability

This is the part people miss: the most sustainable furniture is the furniture that lasts. Period. That expensive, well-made sofa that costs three times more than the fast furniture version? If it lasts ten times longer, it’s actually the more economical and environmental choice.

The Brands Actually Walking the Walk

Not all “sustainable” furniture is created equal. Some brands genuinely commit to environmentally friendly practices, while others rely more on marketing than meaningful action.

Look for companies that are members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council—a coalition of manufacturers, retailers, and designers dedicated to actual, measurable sustainability practices across the industry. These companies have to prove their commitment, not just claim it.

Take La-Z-Boy, for example. They’ve been nationally recognized for environmentally friendly manufacturing, focusing on waste reduction, increased recycling, energy efficiency, and consuming fewer resources. They’re not perfect (no company is), but they’re transparent about their processes and committed to improvement.

The key is finding brands that treat sustainability as an ongoing commitment, not a marketing campaign.

So… Should You Actually Buy Sustainable Furniture?

Here’s the reality: sustainable furniture isn’t necessarily the right choice for every situation. If you move frequently or prefer changing your décor regularly, you might approach furniture differently—and that’s okay. The goal is to make informed decisions that work for your lifestyle.

But consider this: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend over 90% of their lives indoors. Your home environment massively impacts your quality of life. The furniture you choose affects not just your comfort but also your health, your budget, and yes—the planet.

The beautiful thing about sustainable furniture is that you don’t have to sacrifice style. Trends come and go, but quality is timeless. And when you’re finally ready to upgrade, that well-made piece won’t just become landfill fodder—it’ll still have plenty of life left for someone else.

Many furniture stores, like La-Z-Boy, even run trade-in events where they’ll collect your old furniture to donate to local nonprofits while giving you a discount on new pieces. It’s a win-win that extends the life of quality furniture.

The Bottom Line

That mountain of furniture waste isn’t going away on its own. Every piece of fast furniture we buy adds to it. Every quality piece we invest in doesn’t.

Sustainable furniture isn’t about perfection or making dramatic lifestyle changes. It’s about making thoughtful choices when the opportunity arises. Asking informed questions. Investing in quality when it makes sense. And contributing to positive change, one piece of furniture at a time.

The furniture you choose can reflect both your style and your values. When those two align, that’s when your space truly feels like home.

We’d be happy to show you our eco-friendly furniture in person at any of our locations in NC, SC, and GA.