“Sustainable” and “Green” are commonly used when speaking of interior finishes, and are becoming even more present in the world of furniture. Whether you’re purchasing new or replacing existing there are several things to keep in mind when selecting furniture. 1. Sustainable furnishings have a broad range of attributes which may not encompass all of your desires within one product, so decide what is most important to you in your search for green solutions. Attributes to look for:
- Recycled/Salvaged content
- Durability & Longevity
- Rapidly renewable
- Bio-based materials
- No or Low VOC
- Recyclability
- Companies Environmental Policy
- Reconfigurable
- Easy replacement
- Serviceability of components
111 Navy Chair from Enemco is made of recycled content, specifically 65% Recycled PET and 35% Glass Fiber.
The Dash task light from Steelcase, and designed with Foster + Partners, is a good example of a product with longevity. Dash uses a mercury-free LED and a wireless current to eliminate PVC.
2. To aid in your search, look for third-party verification certificates. These certificates are based on industry best practices and require an extensive application process. 
- Cradle to Cradle
- Greenguard
- Forest Stewardship Council
- UL Environment Sustainable Product
- NSF/ANSI Standard 336
- Business + International Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA)
3. Consider a product's complete lifecycle which covers a products origin, creation, shipping and disposal. Through established relationships, companies such as Humanscale aid in the disposal of product through, donation, refurbishment or recycling.
HumanScale's Diffrient World Chair is a mesh-based chair known for easy replacement and serviceability.
There is a whole sea of furniture in the green market, so use these tips when buying your next piece, whether for a client or for your own home!