Arper: Beyond Trends with Circular and Timeless Design

As World Sustainability Day approaches, our focus turns to the furniture industry and how eco-conscious design can contribute to a greener planet. Several leading brands are championing sustainable furniture innovations, each dedicated to reducing their environmental impact. Here are some notable initiatives in sustainable furniture design that align comfort, aesthetics, and eco-friendly practices.

Core Philosophy

 Arper, rooted in a tradition of Italian design, emphasizes timelessness, comfort, and sustainability. Founded in 1989, this family-owned brand integrates eco-friendly practices across the lifecycle of its products, from design to end-of-life.

Catifa Carta

An update to Arper’s iconic Catifa 53 chair, it uses a material called PaperShell, a composite of paper and natural resin that captures carbon dioxide during its lifecycle. The circularity of Catifa Carta is underscored by its ability to transform into biochar through pyrolysis at the end of its life, enriching soil and supporting biodiversity.

Arper’s commitment to sustainability is built on circular design principles and transparency. The Catifa Carta is a symbol of this journey, offering an elegant, functional solution that embodies Arper’s dedication to creating furniture with lasting environmental and aesthetic value.

https://www.arper.com/en_GB/catifa-carta

Muuto: Transforming Waste with the Fiber Chair Series

Rethinking Plastic Waste

 Muuto’s Fiber Chair series showcases a composite of 100% recycled plastic with FSC-certified wood fibers, reducing reliance on virgin materials. By using sustainable materials and a circular design approach, Muuto is on track to eliminate over 80 tons of virgin plastic.

Certified and Climate Compensated

The Fiber Chair, crafted in a production facility powered by renewable energy, is EU Ecolabel Certified, guaranteeing reduced environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. The shell is also climate-compensated, meaning remaining emissions are offset by supporting Verra or Gold Standard-certified climate projects.

The Fiber Armchair

 A fresh perspective on the classic shell chair, blending wood fibers with recycled plastic for a smooth, matte finish. Its cozy, ergonomic design complements its eco-friendly production, making it an ideal choice for sustainable, minimalist interiors.

https://www.muuto.com/sustainability/

Roche Bobois: Building a Responsible Design Legacy

Long-term Vision

With a focus on creativity and environmental responsibility, Roche Bobois envisions a future where sustainable growth underpins all its operations. Through responsible sourcing, durable design, and supplier partnerships, Roche Bobois is setting ambitious sustainability goals, aiming for 100% eco-designed products by 2025.

The Ava Dining Armchair

Capturing the essence of mythical dragons and Ming Dynasty craftsmanship, while blending cultural heritage with modern sustainable practices. Every component of the Ava chair is crafted with careful attention to environmental impact, using responsibly sourced materials and finishes that respect ecological standards. This chair embodies Roche Bobois’ dedication to creating luxurious, high-quality pieces that contribute positively to the environment.

The SETUP sofa

An example of Roche Bobois’ sustainable innovation in furniture design. This versatile modular system, crafted by Roche Bobois’ skilled artisans, is both adaptive and eco-conscious. With a focus on premium materials, the Setup sofa is made from sustainable wood sources, responsibly produced textiles, and environmentally certified foams. The modular elements not only cater to various spatial needs but are also designed to minimize waste, with components that can be easily assembled, reconfigured, or replaced as needed.
The Setup sofa’s adaptability speaks to a deeper commitment to longevity and responsible production. By offering a timeless design that can evolve with the user’s lifestyle, Roche Bobois encourages sustainable consumer habits, reducing the need for frequent replacement and conserving resources over time.

Tribù: Outdoor Living Meets Eco-conscious Design

Designing with Nature

The Belgian brand Tribù has spent decades crafting outdoor furniture that blends comfort and style with environmental sensitivity. By partnering with designers to use sustainable, high-quality materials, Tribù brings luxury to outdoor settings with minimal environmental impact.

The Otto Low Table

Inspired by classic Italian bar counter patterns, emphasizes sustainable teak use by minimizing waste. This approach aligns with Tribù’s vision for longevity and resilience, creating pieces that enhance outdoor spaces sustainably.

Vitra: Closing the Loop with Recycled Plastics

The Approach

Vitra incorporates recycled plastics to create high-quality, durable furniture without depleting virgin resources. The brand utilizes a range of recycled materials like polypropylene and polyamide, which are sourced from both post-consumer and post-industrial waste, reducing the carbon footprint associated with virgin plastic production.
Circularity in Action: Vitra avoids non-recyclable fillers, like wood chips, favoring technical fillers like glass fibers to enable complete recyclability at the product’s end of life. An exhibition at the Vitra Design Museum, “Plastic: Remaking Our World,” further explores sustainable plastic applications in design, examining the lifecycle and future of plastic as a material.

Tip Ton RE chair

A product by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, embodies this approach. Made from post-consumer recycled plastic, primarily from used packaging, this all-plastic chair uses a small percentage of glass fibers to enhance strength and durability. The recycled materials give Tip Ton RE a distinct gray hue, adding character while saving 30% in climate-damaging emissions.

The Mikado Side Chair

Embodying Vitra’s dedication to dynamic comfort and sustainability. Designed with an elegant form and a slight reclining backrest, Mikado encourages natural movement, enhancing comfort and concentration.
Available with diverse fabric covers, colors, and leg options, Mikado suits dining rooms, restaurants, and meeting spaces. Its repairable, replaceable components ensure longevity, while materials are fully recyclable.

In celebrating World Sustainability Day, brands like Vitra, Muuto, Arper, Tribù, and Roche Bobois exemplify the shift towards responsible, sustainable furniture production. By adopting circular design principles, sustainable materials, and transparency in their processes, these industry leaders offer us eco-friendly choices that don’t sacrifice style or quality. Their efforts remind us that every piece of furniture has a story, and choosing sustainably crafted furniture can be part of the solution for a greener future.