How green is your business?
Whether it’s eco-friendly, environmentally safe or ethically manufactured, there’s a bright future for furniture made with conscience.
According to Nielsen’s Global Corporate Sustainability Report, two thirds of consumers (and 73% of Millennials) say they’re willing to pay more for sustainable goods – and suppliers and manufacturers are taking note, by developing re-usable or recyclable products, employing recycled or certified materials, or making operational commitments to carbon neutrality, zero to landfill or ethical working
And, due to growing demand from conscientious consumers, these stories are becoming increasingly compelling on the shop floor.
Take Sealy UK’s example. Like many bed manufacturers, it has embraced its environmental responsibilities, implementing a zero-to-landfill policy, while seeking to use materials that are renewable and recyclable wherever possible.
“Today’s consumers are demanding more than ever before from the companies they purchase from, and are keen to know that the products they have in their homes are consistent with their values,” says Sealy’s sales and marketing director, Neil Robinson.
“With the market becoming increasingly crowded for suppliers in the furniture industry, it has never been more important for companies to step up and review if they are doing enough when it comes to having a positive impact on the environment – after all, it could be the deciding factor when a consumer comes to choosing between you and your competition.
“As suppliers, minimising the impact of any adverse environmental effects as a result of production and distribution is key. It’s something that businesses from across the industry should be considering, with future consumers unlikely to tolerate brands that don’t have a plan to minimise the effect of their operations on our planet.”
Sustainable business has been on the industry’s agenda for decades, but it can no longer be ignored.
With the environment (and economy) facing innumerable uncertainties, and the weight of public opinion shifting ever faster, it’s looking like eco-friendly product and practice will become the industry’s default sooner rather than later.
