Sustainable Design is more than just sustainable design
Shaping the future through a sustainable approach to nature: Sustainable Design or Ecodesign is based on the principles of sustainability. Ecodesign means designing usage contexts according to ecological and social aspects. Designers scrutinize services, materials, energy consumption and the entire product life cycle - "cradle to cradle". Raw materials are recycled and preserved over multiple life cycles, ideally producing no waste. As we move toward a fully sustainable future, ideas for green designs - such as using recycled materials for individual parts - are already emerging. Many designers and manufacturers are creating long-lasting products using renewable energy.
Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations
The benchmarks for member states are the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which came into force on January 1, 2016, and are valid until 2030. The goals include ending poverty, healthy living, access to water, sanitation, justice and education, as well as infrastructure, peace and equality for all people in the world. Relevant to Furniture and Design are Sustainable Economic Growth, Consumption and Production Patterns, Decent Work, and Immediate Action to Halt Climate Change. This includes protecting ecosystems on land and in water. Innovative solutions must be found that save resources, minimize environmental impact and guarantee fair manufacturing conditions. You can find such design products in your pro office store. For further information please send us an e-mail or give us a call.
Sustainability at Vitra
For the company Vitra sustainability is not a project, but stands for the attitude of the company in employee management and product development. Production takes place in Germany in Weil am Rhein, in Hungary (Szombathely) and in Japan (Sugito) for the Asian market. The company has set itself the goal of leaving no ecological footprint by 2030. Vitra already stands for the longest possible use and recycling options for its products. The company avoids short-lived trends in product design by producing design classics. Even if the products are no longer liked or no longer fit, their resale value is preserved. Vitra contributes to environmental protection by designing furniture with a functional approach and reducing environmental impact. The company thinks ahead to the product's end of life and pays attention to working conditions. The Vitra Tip Ton RE, designed by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby, is a chair made of recycled material for dynamic and ergonomic sitting in two positions that can also be used outdoors. Vitra EVO-C is also 100 percent recyclable, and Jasper Morrison's elegant chair from 2020 is in the tradition of the cantilever chair.
Sustainability at USM Haller
In Münsingen, the headquarters of USM Haller, a new heating center was built with compressed air generation, heat recovery and two wood chip heating systems supplied with local wood chips. The new plant supplies 80 percent of space and process heat from renewable energy. The large solar system on the roof also contributes to sustainable production methods. The company premises are designed to be close to nature. USM products can be easily combined or expanded with new parts. One hundred percent of metal waste is recycled in production. The USM Haller and USM Kitos M products are Cradle to Cradle® certified. This makes Kitos M not only particularly ergonomic by adapting to the needs of one or more people, but also a particularly environmentally friendly project - ideal for hot-desking (desk-sharing).
Sustainable design at USM Haller
The economical use of energy and raw materials played an important role in the development of USM Haller modular furniture systems from the very beginning. The supporting elements and cladding of the furniture are made of durable steel or glass and can be easily replaced. Chrome-plated surfaces of tubes and frames ensure a long-lasting product. Table tops are made of chipboard, real wood, synthetic resin, granite, glass or linoleum. Used glue is low in formaldehyde. Modern production processes avoid toxic emissions due to modern solvents and water-dilutable varnishes.
Green innovations at Kartell
Kartell has been manufacturing plastic furniture since the 1960-ies. Green ideas have also prevailed at the cult manufacturer; Kartell already received GREENGUARD certification in 2014. Under the motto "Kartell loves the planet", the company is committed to sustainability and environmental protection. Kartell aims to follow an environmentally sustainable path by using recycled material while maintaining high quality product design. Designer Philippe Starck's Kartell AI chair was the first chair created with the help of artificial intelligence using 100 percent recycled material in an injection molding process. Artificial intelligence helped the designer find sustainable solutions that use little material and are kind to the environment. The 100 percent recycled thermoplastic technopolymer comes from production waste. A classic from the 1970s, the Kartell Componibili Bio has been reissued in revolutionary Bio Material, designed by Anna Castelli Ferrieri. The sustainable biopolymer is made from renewable plant material from agriculture that is not suitable for food. The matte surface of the iconic classic also has a soft-touch effect.
Green design and materials at Fritz Hansen
Danish cult manufacturer Fritz Hansen also takes responsibility for sustainable design in the form of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Fritz Hansen furniture has numerous environmental certifications, including Ecolabel, FSC® and Green Guard. The company works with designers and suppliers who share the company's values. Fritz Hansen uses natural chrome for longer metal life, including in the classics, Ant™, Series 7™, Grand Prix™, Drop™, NAP™, Egg™, Swan™ and in the unpainted parts of the KAISER idell™ fixtures. PUR (polyurethane foam) is foamed for the upholstery with the help of water; the foam waste is 100 percent recycled. Adhesives used are water-soluble. Polyurethane varnish (PUR) is long-lasting and processed with low emissions. Fritz Hansen uses only recycled aluminum. Fritz Hansen has the upholstery fabrics produced in Europe without harmful chemicals. Fritz Hansen sources wood from forests that are ecologically and socially managed. Chipboard consists of up to 70 percent recycled wood, MDF boards from wood chips and cellulose chips. There is a variant of designer Arne Jacobsen's famous "egg" (Egg) chair made of recycled wool, the Egg™ Re-Wool. Designer Oki Sato (Nendo) relies on No waste with the N02™ Recycle chair - plastic processed from household waste that can be recycled several times.
