Furniture manufacturing and the circular economy
As furniture designers, we are passionate about sustainability and the principles of a circular economy – so how do we make sure we are following best practices in a busy working environment?
What is a Circular Economy?
The circular economy is an antidote to the throwaway society. It is a model of production and consumption which can include sharing, lending, recycling, repairing and repurposing materials and products, to reduce waste and extend their lifecycle.
A Sustainable Supply Chain
Much of our commercial work is driven by the fact that the companies who use us are keen to make sure their supply chain is sustainable. By managing our own design and manufacturing processes, we are helping them to achieve their ambitions to promote a circular economy.
Sustainable design
Design is the start of the production chain, which is why it is so crucial to the circular economy. When a new product is made, it should be created from the perspective of its future lifespan. We love creating pieces that are inspired by the people who will use them. This means that we approach every project from the view of making something that will endure, both visually and practically. Timeless design and careful technique mean that our products will stand up to regular use and can be enjoyed over many generations.
Responsible sourcing
Our customers care about where the materials we use come from. This is generally true for all our customers, whether we are making commercial components for them, designing church furniture for a community or making a special commission for a private home. We are therefore proud to be FSC® certified (FSC® C007915).
Workshop efficiency
We manufacture all our furniture and components in our own factory in Leeds, West Yorkshire, which means we have full control over our materials and processes. Over the years we have honed our efficiency and invested in state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technology and CNC machinery, all of which helps us make the best use of materials and reduce waste. In fact, we now share our knowledge and experience to help other furniture designers manufacture their products as efficiently as possible. Knowledge sharing is a big part of a successful circular economy.
Recycling
Everything we do is about minimising waste, right down to the offcuts. Some of them are made into products and if we can’t reuse waste wood in our own workshop, we give it to Leeds Wood Recycling. Leeds Wood Recycling sells reclaimed wood to the public and uses it for its own training and commissions. You can read more about how we manage waste in our blog Where does our waste wood go?
