Thoughtfully selecting furniture that’s both safe for us and the planet — like sustainable, non-toxic sofas — is a key component of a journey towards a holistically healthy home.
But the fact is that there is a lot to look for when it comes to the hunt for a non-toxic and/or eco-friendly sofa. Below are a few of the things to watch out for!
Note that this article includes affiliate links. As always, we only feature brands that meet high standards for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
What Makes a Sustainable and/or Non-Toxic Sofa?
Unsurprisingly, the same toxic chemicals that are unhealthy for us are just as terrible for the environment. After all we are part of — and interconnected with — the rest of the planet and natural world. Here’s what to look out for when shopping for a non-toxic sofa or sustainable couch:
Non-toxic sofas will be free of flame retardant treatments.
Flame retardants are toxic chemicals — once required by law — that were and continue to be used to treat polyurethane foam in sofas and other furniture. Now, many companies are shifting away from using flame retardants. Toxic-Free Future has more information on toxic flame retardants.)
Sustainable sofas are made with responsibly-sourced and safely treated wood.
Wood is a renewable material, but it’s still important to ensure that the wood was harvested from responsibly-managed forests and is not contributing to deforestation. Deforestation is is a major contributor to climate change and biodiversity loss. While not perfect, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is the most widely recognized certification for sustainable forestry management.
What about plywood? Pressed wood, like plywood, is typically made with formaldehyde, a chemical that has been linked to cancer risk in studies and listed as a known or probable carcinogen by multiple health groups.
Solid wood furniture is not always financially accessible, though (or realistic if you’re on the move often — it can be heavy!!) so look for formaldehyde-free plywoods if you have to go that route.
Finally, look for low- or zero-VOC (VOC stands for volatile organic compounds) finishes on the wood.
Eco-friendly couches have upholstery made with organic, recycled, and natural fabrics.
Many companies make their sofas with harsh chemical-laden fabrics such as chrome-tanned leather and polyester. Even “natural” cotton is not always toxin-free, when heavily treated with synthetic pesticides. Plus many natural materials are treated with harmful dyes (such as azo dyes, which can impact human health) and finishes.
When possible look for organic cotton, linen, or hemp fabric that is not treated with toxic chemicals. The best label to look out for is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification. If you want a leather couch, look for vegetable-tanned leather, as the chrome (short for chromium) tanning process uses extremely toxic chemicals.
These fabrics are not widely available for sofas though, so you might also consider sofas made with recycled synthetic materials. Not ideal, but we can only purchase from what is available and what is within our budget and do the best we can.
Non-toxic couches haveh natural and/or non-toxic foam.
Most foams are petroleum-based (poly-foam), which is as unsustainable as it sounds! Look for natural fillers such as organic cotton, responsibly-sourced wool, and GOLS-certified organic latex where possible. If not feasible, look for the CertiPUR-US® seal, a certification that tests for a host of toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, toxic flame retardants, heavy metals, among many others.
What About Secondhand Sofas?
Investing in sustainably-made furniture can be quite expensive, but shopping used is a great way to find eco-friendly sofas and other furnishings for far less.
A sofa on the secondhand market is most likely not non-toxic. But since the most off-gassing happens when furniture is new, your exposure to VOCs will be reduced compared to what it would have been if you bought that same piece of furniture new.
What are some places to find sustainable sofas secondhand?
Checking out your local furniture resale shops, consignment stores, and any nearby estate sales or garage sales is a great place to start. (I have found some *amazing* pieces at estate sales!)
Prefer shopping online? Check out Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or OfferUp for local pick-up options.
And if you’re in the US you’ve likely seen people leave their unwanted furniture out on their curb. This is called “stooping” and yup, it’s totally free. Of course you’ll want to do a thorough inspection of the sofa and you may have to be prepared to do some reupholstering since you never know exactly why someone left the sofa out. The condition might be less than desirable, but it’s free! So you may be willing to invest in some repair costs.
For more curated secondhand and vintage sofa options, check out:
Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic Sofa Brands
If you’re in the market to purchase a new eco-friendly sofa, check out these sustainable and/or non toxic sofa companies!
Each brand uses a different set of materials and has slightly different standards, priorities, and values. This guide is a starting point. I encourage you to also do your own research to find which brand would be best for you. Especially because some sofas were chosen for their sustainability credentials, some for their non-toxic credentials, and some for both.
Best Eco-Friendly Sofa: Savvy Rest
Savvy Rest makes their sustainable organic sofa with some of the best materials available for non-toxic couches. The brand uses Cradle-to-Cradle certified Natural Talalay latex foam and GOTS-certified organic hemp or organic cotton upholstery. The brand’s eco-friendly couches are made with organic wool batting, jute webbing, natural coir, and zero-VOC finishes for their eco-friendly couches.
Price Range: $3,799 – $4,099
Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off!
Shipping: Free White Glove delivery in continental U.S. Contact for quotes outside 48 contiguous states.
Best Non-Toxic Sofas: Medley
Free of harmful chemicals like fire retardants, and formaldehyde, Medley makes non-toxic sofas you can kick back in with peace of mind.
What materials does Medley use? For their non-toxic sofa cushions, you can choose from either CertiPUR-US® certified foam or organic natural latex. Their upholstery options are made up of Oeko-Tex certified fabrics and they use FSC-certified wood. Medley also uses water-based, VOC-free glue. This sustainable sofa brand has truly covered every detail.
Price Range: $1,545 – $5,000+ (check out Medley’s returned pieces for discounted options)
Shipping: Ships out of the U.S. Contact Medley for a quote for shipping to other countries.
Best Affordable: Sabai
Beyond using sustainable and non-toxic materials like FSC-certified wood, CertiPUR-US® certified foam, and recycled fiber filling, this B-Corp certified furniture brand has programs to extend the life of their eco-friendly couches.
In Sabai’s Repair Don’t Replace program the company sells various parts you can switch out. With their Revive Program, you can send back your Sabai pieces for consignment.
Price Range: $1,095 – $1,395
Shipping: Ships within the U.S. (shipping is carbon offset and packaging is 100% recycled)
Best Heirloom Quality: Cisco Home @ Urban Natural
A leader in the eco-friendly furniture space, Cisco Home has been handcrafting sustainable sofas in California for decades and was a founding member of the Sustainable Furniture Council.
Select “Inside Green” on the product page and your sofa (or sectional) will be made from FSC-certified wood, organic latex, and other natural materials like jute, hemp, organic cotton, and wool.
Price Range: $2600+ for sofa | $7600+ for sectional
Shipping: Ships within contiguous U.S.; white glove delivery available with fee
Best for Futons: The Futon Shop
The Futon Shop has an impressive set of organic sofas non-toxic sectionals made from natural safe materials with the option to upgrade to organic materials like GOLS-certified organic latex and GOTS-certified organic wool.
Their sustainable couches and non-toxic sofa beds, all made in San Francisco, have frames made from responsibly-sourced kiln-dried wood and are available in fabrics like hemp and organic cotton.
Price Range: $1,500 – $5,395
Shipping: Ships within the continental U.S.
Best for Sectionals: Burrow
Burrow offers modular eco-friendly sofas to reassemble and reconfigure with ease — meaning their pieces can stay with you for a lifetime, even through moves and family additions.
The brand’s thoughtful design goes beyond convenience, Burrow’s comfy couches are made with CertiPUR-US® certified cushions and sustainably-sourced wood.
Price Range: $795 – $3,995
Shipping: Free shipping; ships within the continental U.S.
Luxury Organic Sofas: EcoBalanza
Dedicated to creating “the ultimate organic sofa”, EcoBalanza really has considered every single component. The Seattle-based boutique uses FSC-certified hardwood, GOLS-certified organic latex, certified non-toxic fabrics, natural kapuk fiber cushions, and organic cotton or responsibly-sourced wool batting. Read more about the materials they use for their non-toxic sofas here.
Price Range: $3,000 – $4,300; Couture Collection starts at $6,800
Ordering & Shipping: Sofas are made to order. Learn more here.
Luxury Non-Toxic Sofas: PURE Upholstery
Made using non-toxic organic and natural ingredients, PURE Upholstery’s sustainable couches are free from toxic materials and ingredients, like chemical flame retardants.
PURE Upholstery crafts their eco-friendly couches with certified organic or non-toxic natural fabrics, GOLS-Certified Organic Latex, FSC-certified solid wood, recycled steel springs, certified organic wool, and a natural wood finish. (More on their materials here!)
Price Range: $1,675 – $5,595
Shipping: Ships within the U.S.; more details + lead time here
More Guides for Your Sustainable Living Room
Ethical Home Decor Brands to Curate a Beautiful, Conscious Space
Furnish Your Home Sustainably with these Eco Furniture Brands
The Most Gorgeous Fair Trade Artisanal Rugs
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8 Best Sustainable and Non-Toxic Sofas for Restful Relaxation (2025)
There’s something undeniably special about wearing uniquely handcrafted, fair trade jewelry that you can know was made slowly and thoughtfully with care. Equally special is wearing an elevated set of jewelry crafted with recycled materials and sustainable processes.
Whether you’re looking for an investment piece or more affordable pieces, there are options for any budget on this list. The aesthetics of these fair trade and sustainable jewelry brands also vary, so you’ll also be able to discover an ethical brand that matches your unique style.
What is Fair Trade Jewelry?
Fair trade can both be a general term used to describe a brand’s sourcing practices — like direct relationships with artisan cooperatives, wages above local standard rates, and safe working conditions — or a third-party “Fair Trade” verification through an organization like Fair Trade Federation, Fair Trade USA, or World Fair Trade Organization. When a brand doesn’t have a certification, we verify a brand’s practices by their own published information.
In the cases where brands do go the extra mile and get a third-party verification for their fair trade practices, we’ve noted it directly in their entries.
Note that this guide includes affiliate links and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet high standards for responsibility we love, and that we think you’ll love too!
2. Ana Luisa
Best for: affordable everyday jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Gold, Lab-Grown Diamonds, Small-Batch Production, Direct-to-Consumer
Ana Luisa creates stunning, elegant jewelry from responsibly-sourced materials including 100% recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds. The sustainable jewelry brand also produces in small batches to minimize waste.
By using a direct-to-consumer model, Ana Luisa is able to provide luxury, high-quality jewelry at accessible prices.
3. Monica Vinader
Best for: recycled demi-fine jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Woman-Founded, Recycled Silver & Gold Vermeil, Traceable Gemstones, Lab-Grown & Conflict-Free Diamonds, Supply Chain Transparency
Price Range: $85 (studs) – $2,495 (diamond ring)
British jewelry brand Monica Vinader was one of the first brands to meet the gap between fashion jewelry and fine jewelry with their “demi fine” jewelry. The women-founded brand has necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings crafted from 100% recycled sterling silver and gold vermeil, fully traceable gemstones, and lab-grown or conflict-free diamonds. Monica Vinader also launched Product Passports, taking an active effort towards full supply chain transparency.
4. WorldFinds
Best for: unique statement jewelry with a story
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Verified, Upcycled Materials, Artisan-Made
WorldFinds provides sustainable employment and just wages for hundreds of women artisans in India and Bali. These artisans handcraft both sleek metal fair trade jewelry and unique recycled Kantha pieces. WorldFinds is Verified by the Fair Trade Federation, which assesses members against fair trade principles including fair wages, safe conditions, and transparent supply chains.
Plus WorldFinds’ signature Kantha jewelry is made from upcycling materials: wood scraps from a furniture factory and locally sourced Kantha fabric remnants.
5. Astor + Orion
Best for: drop earrings and charm necklaces with symbolism
Conscious Qualities: Certified Ethical Factory, Recycled Materials, Designed for Recyclability, Repair Program
Ethical jewelry brand Astor + Orion sources their jewelry from a factory with multiple certifications ensuring worker safety, fair production practices, and responsible environmental management. Astor + Orion’s stunning jewelry is made from recycled materials and designed in a way to make it easily recyclable! Their pieces also come with a quality assurance — the brand will repair any piece within 6 months of purchase.
6. Laura Elizabeth
Best for: non-toxic jewelry in organic shapes
Conscious Qualities: Locally Sourced Recycled Metals, Woman-Owned, Fair Wages, Safe Working Conditions
Price Range: $45 – $330
Crafted from recycled metals sourced locally in LA, Laura Elizabeth creates stand-out sustainable jewelry. All of the brand’s jewelry is sourced ethically from a small, woman-owned studio in Los Angeles that ensures reasonable working hours (35 hr/week), fair wages, and safe working conditions (such as proper ventilation). Check out more on Laura Elizabeth in this post!
The jewelry is also non-toxic, free of cadmium or lead.
7. Ten Thousand Villages
Best for: giftable fair trade jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Production, Artisan-Made
Price Range: $6 – $175
Founded in 1946, Ten Thousand Villages is one of the fair trade pioneers and a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), the global network that verifies fair trade practices across its member organizations.
They’ve developed relationships with artisans around the world, providing valuable economic opportunities for thousands of makers in 30 countries around the world. Their marketplace has handmade necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, along with a variety of other fair trade goods.
8. Edge of Ember
Best for: gemstone jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Gold & Silver, Artisan-Made, Ethical Production
Price Range: $49 (ear cuff) – $2,730 (diamond tennis bracelet)
Edge of Ember’s timeless jewelry is responsibly crafted by makers working in artisan groups and small-scale factories. Their delicate necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other pieces are crafted by skilled artisans in India, Hong Kong, Germany, and Thailand. The brand carries out independent social audits to ensure ethical working conditions and environmental responsibility.
Edge of Ember has a wide selection of recycled gold and silver rings, bracelets, and necklaces adorned with stunning gemstones, including many birthstone jewelry options perfect for gifting.