Quick Key Facts
- Roughly 20 to 25 percent of fish, molluscs and crustaceans in developing countries come from coral reefs.
- Corals grow an estimated 0.39 inches per year — one of the slowest growth rates of any animal on Earth.
- A few square kilometers of coral reef takes roughly a million years to grow.
- At nearly 135,136 square miles, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the largest structure in the world made by living organisms, and can be seen from outer space.
- The Great Barrier Reef is actually made up of nearly 3,000 separate reefs.
- Corals like strong currents because they circulate seawater quickly, keeping the temperature — especially at the surface — cooler and more stable.
- Scientists have predicted that by 2055, 90 percent of coral reefs worldwide will experience severe annual bleaching.
What Are ‘Coral Reefs’?
Coral reefs consist of hundreds of thousands of coral polyps — marine animal invertebrates with hard calcium carbonate exoskeletons. Different species grow to form a variety of measurements and shapes — from the size of a pinhead to as large as a foot in diameter.
Coral colonies are habitats and breeding grounds for many marine species, including sharks, manatees, dugongs, fish, sea urchins, molluscs and sea sponges.
Types of Coral Reefs
Fringing
There are three main types of coral reefs: fringing, barrier and atoll, the most common of which is the fringing reef. A fringing reef extends from the shore out into the ocean, forming a border along the coastline and nearby islands.
Fringing reefs grow more successfully on rising or stable shorelines. They consist of the reef flat, also known as the “back reef,” and the reef slope, or “fore reef.” The fore reef is the part closest to the sea, while the back reef makes up the widest portion of the reef. Corals in a fringing reef grow upward toward the ocean’s surface or outward in the direction of the sea.
The planet’s largest fringing reef is the Ningaloo Reef, which extends 155 miles along Australia’s western coast. It is home to 300 coral species, 500 fish species, 600 species of mollusks and a host of other sea life and marine invertebrates.
Barrier
The largest type of coral reef, barrier reefs border the continental shelf like fringing reefs, but grow further out in a linear fashion, separated by a frequently deep lagoon of water. Shallow parts of the reef sometimes touch the surface, forming a “barrier” that can impede boat traffic.
Barrier reefs can be hundreds of miles long and several miles wide, but are not nearly as common as the two other main types of reefs.
Probably the best known barrier reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is located off the coast of Australia in the Coral Sea. The Great Barrier Reef is Earth’s largest coral reef system — rather than one reef, it is actually made up of nearly 3,000 separate reefs. It extends 1,429 miles over an area of nearly 135,136 square miles. The Great Barrier Reef is so extensive, it can be spotted from space.
Atoll
Small islands on the Three Brothers group on the western Great Chagos Bank. Brian W. Bowen
An atoll is actually a fringing reef that once surrounded a volcano, but as the volcano sank below sea-level, the corals continued to grow, becoming the only thing visible from the surface.
Atolls are typically circular, oval or shaped like a horseshoe and have a sandy, shallow lagoon in the middle. The coral rim of an atoll may or may not entirely surround the lagoon, but if it does, little or no sea water will move in and out.
The 4,881 square-mile Great Chagos Bank, located in the Indian Ocean, is the largest atoll on the planet. It consists of the protected Eagle Islands, Danger Island, Nelson Island and the Three Brothers islands.
Why Are Coral Reefs Important? Why Do They Matter?
Support One-Quarter of All Marine Species
It is estimated that a quarter of marine species are supported by coral reef ecosystems, though reefs do not even comprise one percent of the seafloor.
These cradles of biodiversity act as habitat, feeding, reproduction and nursery grounds for more than a million marine species.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), many of the species living within the coral reef ecosystem have been listed under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, including one-third of reef-building coral species, whale sharks, the giant clam and the hawksbill sea turtle.
Protect Coastlines From Storms, Flooding and Erosion
Coral reefs act as natural barriers that protect coastlines from erosion. Corals grow laterally across the seabed and up between the seafloor and the water’s surface. This stabilizes the seabed and absorbs wave energy and elements from the open ocean. Some coral reefs are capable of absorbing more than 95 percent of wave energy.
The buffer of a reef also reduces storm damage from cyclones, as well as some of the energy of tsunamis.
Reefs not only protect the shoreline and its human developments, but the ecosystems — like lagoons containing seagrass meadows — that lie between the coast and the reefs themselves.
Clean the Water
A great number of corals and sponges consume nutrients from particulate matter through the process of filter feeding. This helps prevent harmful particles from settling on the ocean floor and keeps waters clear.
Act as Cultural Heritage Sites
Corals have cultural importance for many of the world’s coastal communities, such as the Torres Strait Islanders with the Great Barrier Reef, and Hawaiians, for whom the coral polyp holds significance in traditional stories.
Even for those who don’t live close to the sea, coral reefs are associated with the vast and colorful scope of marine biodiversity on our planet. Visits to coral reefs result in millions of trips each year and billions in tourism dollars for local communities.
Provide Food, Income and Recreation for Humans
Roughly six million fishers count on coral reefs for the economic goods and services they provide. In the U.S., their annual commercial value is estimated to be more than $100 million, while the estimated economic value globally is $375 billion.
Hundreds of millions of people rely on coral reefs for their resources, protection and tourism. Many of the people who depend on the reefs are from island nations and developing countries and take food directly from the reef’s waters.
Roughly 20 to 25 percent of fish, molluscs and crustaceans in developing countries come from coral reefs, 70 to 90 percent in Southeast Asian nations and 10 percent worldwide.
Snorkelers and divers flock to coral reefs to admire the stunning array of colorful species, with more than 100 countries reaping the benefits of reef tourism.
For many small island nations, coral reefs are responsible for most of their new economic development.
Responsibly managed reefs that limit pollution and harm from tourists can help provide sources of income for developing coastal countries.
A Source of Medicine
Corals spend their lives fixed to one spot. In order to protect themselves, they have evolved chemicals to defend against other organisms threatening their space. Some of the chemicals have been studied by scientists for their medicinal benefits related to cell aging and certain types of cancer. The skeleton of a coral is similar to human bones, and has been used for bone grafts for decades.
Only a small number of reef organisms have been tested and analyzed, so there may be undiscovered pharmaceutical remedies hiding in coral reef waters.
Challenges Facing Coral Reefs
Ocean Warming & Acidification
The greatest threats to coral reefs worldwide are increasing ocean temperatures due to climate change and the resulting changes in ocean chemistry. Warmer temperatures are causing oceans to heat up, while atmospheric carbon gas dissolves into the water, causing acidification.
Atmospheric and oceanic carbon dioxide are in equilibrium with each other, so when carbon concentrations in the atmosphere increase, so do those in seawater. When carbon enters the ocean, it forms carbonic acid — a compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen — increasing the water’s acidity.
Roughly a quarter of the carbon emitted from humans burning fossil fuels is absorbed by the ocean. The acidity of the ocean has increased about 30 percent since the Industrial Revolution — the fastest rate in millions of years. By the end of the century, ocean acidity levels are predicted to be 40 percent higher than they are now.
When ocean acidity increases, the amount of ions and salts corals need to form calcium carbonate are reduced, leading to slower coral growth. The decrease in coral growth affects species to differing degrees, but severe acidification can cause some coral skeletons to dissolve.
Runoff can lead to nutrient enrichment, increasing the acidity of coastal waters in local areas and worsening ocean acidification.
Bleaching
Microscopic algae grow on corals in a symbiotic relationship, providing the corals with food. The algae are expelled by their coral hosts when they become stressed due to increased ocean temperatures. This puts further strain on the corals and exposes their white calcium carbonate structure — a process called coral bleaching.
Prolonged or severe bleaching can leave coral colonies vulnerable to additional threats like infectious diseases.
Research has shown that when corals are exposed to high carbon dioxide levels, their bleaching risk increases by as much as 50 percent.
Scientists have predicted that by 2055, 90 percent of coral reefs worldwide will experience severe annual bleaching.
Human Activities
Since most coral reefs are near the shoreline in shallow water, they face numerous threats and are especially vulnerable to human activities. Many human actions that degrade corals are indirect — like pollutants, nutrients and microplastics — while others such as overfishing and coral harvesting are more direct.
Overfishing
Nature is about balance, so anything that involves the adding or subtracting of too many nutrients or resources disrupts its equilibrium — not just in the present, but it can lead to cascading effects and change the structure of the ecosystem.
Overfishing depletes populations of grazing fish who help keep corals from becoming overgrown with algae. An overabundance of algae is food for microbes and encourages their growth. The microbes then deplete corals’ oxygen and introduce diseases into their environment. Less corals mean more algae, which further endanger the remaining corals.
The use of explosives to kill fish — blast fishing — is an especially destructive practice that can physically damage not only fish, but corals too.
Pathogens
Stormwater and sewage that has not been treated properly, as well as livestock runoff, can result in pathogens ending up in the ocean. Parasites and bacteria from fecal contamination — though rare — can infect corals, particularly if they are already experiencing environmental stressors.
Healthy ecosystems do sometimes experience outbreaks of coral disease, but the addition of pollution containing pathogens can make the intensity and frequency worse.
Nutrients
Excessive amounts of nutrients — such as phosphorus and nitrogen from sewage discharge, animal waste and residential and agricultural fertilizer and pesticides — can cause algal growth that takes away from corals’ oxygen supply, occludes sunlight and can lead to bleaching. This can cause an imbalance in the ecosystem as well as the growth of fungi and bacteria that can be unhealthy for corals.
Toxic Substances
Toxic substances like chemicals and metals — such as lead, mercury, oxybenzone, dioxin and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) — that come from sunscreens, industrial discharge and mining can affect the growth rate, feeding, reproduction and defense responses of corals.
Trash and Microplastics
Microplastics can end up in waterways and the ocean from many sources, including old fishing gear, plastic bags, plastic bottles and the microbeads used in personal care products and cosmetics.
This marine debris can get caught on corals and damage or break them, block sunlight and kill or entangle reef organisms. Microplastics and beads can be eaten by corals, sea turtles, fish and other marine life, poisoning them with toxins and blocking their digestive tracts.
Habitat Destruction
Coastal development, ship groundings and anchors, quarrying, dredging, harmful fishing practices and the touching or removing of corals during recreation or harvesting can all lead to physical damage and destruction of coral habitat.
Sedimentation
Agriculture, coastal development, forestry and urban stormwater runoff can cause the deposit of sediments onto reefs. This sedimentation can smother corals, as well as disrupt their ability to grow, feed and reproduce.
Coral Harvesting
Collecting live corals to be used to make jewelry and curios and for use in aquariums can result in the overharvesting of certain species, as well as the destruction of coral reef habitat.
What Can We Do to Support Coral Reefs?
As a Society?
The most important thing society can do to help corals and reef ecosystems is to reduce the use of fossil fuels, as they are the cause of global heating and ocean warming, which leads to ocean acidification and coral bleaching.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is in charge of implementing Clean Water Act programs to reduce the pollution that degrades coastal waters and coral habitat. The natural resilience of sensitive reef systems will be enhanced by people reducing stressors to reefs in their local communities.
Another societal practice that is essential to coral reefs is to strictly manage coastal development, as it can erode the shoreline, lead to sediment deposits and encourage the overvisitation of coral reefs. It is also important that mining and agricultural runoff be limited or prohibited, as metals and chemicals from their processes can make their way into waterways and the ocean, causing damage to corals.
Overfishing must cease and sustainable fisheries be supported to ensure marine life and the balance of the coral reef ecosystem are not disrupted. Managing tourism is necessary to limit overexposure and damage to reefs. At the same time, laws prohibiting sunscreens that are toxic to corals and reef animals need to be passed and enforced.
In Our Own Lives?
There are many things individuals can do to support the health of coral reefs. When visiting reefs, be sure not to touch corals or any marine life and don’t take anything away from the reef system when diving or snorkeling in the area. Reduce your use of sunscreen by wearing a rash guard or long-sleeved shirt to prevent sunburn — if you do use sunscreen, always make sure it’s reef safe.
In your everyday life, save as much energy as possible by turning off lights and using energy-efficient appliances; eat sustainable seafood; use environmentally-friendly forms of transportation; reduce stormwater runoff and use green alternatives to pesticides and toxic fertilizers, since they can be washed into the sewer system and end up in rivers and the ocean; reduce your use of plastic — microplastics have become ubiquitous in every environment on Earth and can damage corals and other reef life; when buying fish for an aquarium, be sure they have been collected sustainably and don’t purchase living coral; and recycle as much as possible and dispose of trash properly so it does not make its way into waterways and the ocean.
Takeaway
Coral reefs are some of the most beautiful ecosystems on Earth. Their vast array of marine life of all colors, shapes and sizes is an incredible testament to our planet’s biodiversity. Global heating has led to ocean warming, which affects sensitive corals and has increased detrimental bleaching. Coastal development, sedimentation and toxic chemicals are all threats to reef ecosystems and must be limited or prohibited to protect them.
Everyone has a part to play in the protection of coral reefs — the decisions we make in how we travel, eat, buy, garden and conduct ourselves when visiting reef habitats all affect these unique ecosystems. Working together to protect coral reefs is the best chance they have of surviving the global climate crisis.
The post Coral Reefs 101: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on EcoWatch.
https://www.ecowatch.com/coral-reefs-facts-ecowatch.html
The ethical and sustainable furniture companies featured below offer everything from sustainable office chairs and desks to bed frames and storage furniture (with a whole lot in between)!
I’ve curated this selection of ethical and environmentally friendly furniture companies to bring you everything you’d need to furnish your space consciously, whether you need sustainable bedroom furniture, living room furniture, dining room furniture, or outdoor furniture.
This is your ultimate guide to finding the very best in sustainable furniture.
Note that this guide does include affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you choose to purchase via these links at no additional cost to you. As always, brands we curate meet strict standards for sustainability and design, and are brands we love that we think you’ll love too.
What is Sustainable Furniture Anyway?
Just as with anything with the word sustainable in front of it: there’s a lot to consider when it comes to sustainable furniture! Below is a list of elements to get started with.
Secondhand Furniture
The most sustainable furniture is the furniture that already exists! Shopping for used furniture prevents that piece from being landfilled and reduces the need to produce new furniture. Looking secondhand is also a way to get affordable sustainable furniture.
I shop for secondhand furniture quite a bit so I have an entire guide to the best places to buy and sell used furniture if this is something you’re interested in. You might also enjoy listening to my podcast episode with secondhand interior designer Nina Verduin.
Some easy options to get started with our Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, or Buy Nothing Groups on Facebook. Local furniture resale shops, garage sales, and estate sales are also good options if you have a bit more flexibility in what you’re looking for and would rather shop in person.
Personally I’ve had the best luck with Facebook Marketplace and secondarily with estate sales. Or even grabbing a few furniture pieces I couldn’t believe my fellow apartment dwellers were dumping out!
For more curated selections of secondhand furniture, this is what I’d suggest after an embarrassing amount of hours spent browsing furniture resale marketplaces!
AptDeco
AptDeco is a mecca for buying and re-selling furniture in nearly every category from various brands—including West Elm, Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel. There’s also often quite a few beautiful vintage furniture available on the site.
Chairish
Chairish is an online destination to sell and buy used furniture, mostly vintage furniture. The secondhand furniture site has a massive collection of furniture in every category, no matter how specific, that you may be looking for. However, it tends to be more expensive than other secondhand marketplaces since they have more of a focus on vintage furniture, including some collectible or high-demand items.
Eco-Friendly Furniture Materials
Below is a list of eco-friendly furniture materials that a sustainable furniture company might use:
- Reclaimed or sustainably harvested wood (look for labels like FSC-Certified)
- Recycled steel or recycled aluminum for metal furniture
- Natural fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, and linen or recycled fabrics for upholstery
- Natural Dunlop latex, Talalay latex, or CertiPUR-US® certified foam
- Recycled or natural fiber fills for pillows and cushions
- Low to zero-VOC finishes and stains, such as linseed oil
Interested in non-toxic furniture specifically? Check out our Non-Toxic Furniture Brands Guide.
You’ll see a few certifications throughout this guide. Here’s what each one actually covers:
- FSC Certified = the wood sourcing was responsibly managed (not a finish, foam, or textile guarantee)
- GOTS Certified = the fabric meets strict organic and safety standards, including labor protections throughout the supply chain (a textile-specific certification, not a wood or foam guarantee)
- GOLS Certified = verifies that latex foam is made from certified organic latex, meeting strict environmental and safety standards throughout production (a latex-specific certification)
- CertiPUR-US® = the foam is made without ozone depleters, PBDE flame retardants, mercury, lead, or formaldehyde, and meets low VOC emission standards (a synthetic foam certification, not a claim that the foam is natural or organic)
- GREENGUARD / GREENGUARD Gold Certified = the finished product was tested for low chemical emissions, with Gold representing the stricter tier
- MADE SAFE® = one of the more comprehensive certifications available, screening against a list of thousands of chemicals known or suspected to harm human health; assessed at the product level, though it’s still worth checking which specific products a brand has certified rather than assuming it covers their entire catalog
Responsible and Locally-Made Furniture
An ethical furniture company should be considering their workers, ensuring safe conditions and fair wages.
Ideally, the brand would produce their furniture domestically to minimize emissions and increase transparency of their supply chain. Some of the furniture brands in this guide even own their own manufacturing facility, which is a major bonus!
Since I am based in the US, a lot of the brands in this guide are USA Made furniture companies.
Check the furniture company’s About or Sustainability pages to see if they include any information about the factories they source from or the craftspeople and furniture artisans that they partner with to produce their pieces.
Other Sustainability Efforts
In addition to environmentally-friendly materials and fair production standards, sustainable furniture brands likely have several other sustainability initaitives.
These might include:
- A take-back, resale program, or secondhand marketplace
- A repair program or ability to buy replacement components
- Reforestation projects that replenish forests beyond the trees sourced for their furniture
- Donation initiatives to environmental or social justice organizations
The Best Sustainable Furniture Companies
I know that there is a lot to sort through when it comes to sustainable furniture, so my goal is to make that search easier.
Below are my top picks for sustainable furniture stores, environmentally friendly furniture companies, and secondhand furniture marketplaces that are doing things better.
That might mean they are sourcing eco-friendly materials, using safer finishes and fabrics, producing locally and ethically, considering the full lifecycle of their products, or all of the above!
For more on what we consider “sustainable furniture” scroll down to the bottom below the brands!
1. Urban Natural
Best for: finding all of your furniture and decor in one place
Responsible furniture retailer Urban Natural curates a variety of furniture brands that meet at least three of their five sustainable sourcing criterion: Ethically Sourced, Handcrafted, Organic Materials, Made Sustainably, and Made in the USA.
That said, as a multi-brand retailer, sustainability standards vary somewhat by which specific brand or maker you land on within their catalog, so you may want to check each individual brand’s credentials. My top picks are Copeland, Ethnicraft, and GRAYN.
Furniture Categories: Seating, Beds, Tables, Storage, Outdoor Furniture
Price Range: $256 (shelf nightstand) – $6,865 (storage bed)
Shipping: Ships within contiguous U.S. (contact for overseas logistics)
2. Medley
Best for: a full range of sustainable furniture across rooms
Medley Home is an eco-friendly furniture company that handcrafts their pieces in California with sustainably-sourced materials. The company uses domestically-sourced hardwoods from FSC-certified forests. Medley Home’s wood pieces are finished naturally with a blend of beeswax, carnauba wax, and olive oil.
For sofas and chairs, you can choose between CertiPUR-US® certified foam (less expensive but synthetic) or certified organic natural latex (natural but more expensive).
And for upholstery choose from natural fibers like OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified linen or GREENGUARD Gold certified cotton (my recommendation) or GREENGUARD Gold certified polyester (not my pick sustainability-wise, but you may prefer a performance fabric).
Furniture Categories: Seating, Tables, Beds, Storage, Accent Furniture
Price Range: $595 (poufs) – $10,290 (sectionals)
Shipping: Contiguous U.S. (or contact Medley for a quote)
3. Savvy Rest
Best for: furniture with top of the line organic materials
Savvy Rest creates functional, sustainable furniture with your health and the planet’s health in mind. The eco-friendly furniture brand sources only the best natural and organic materials for their furnishings, like hemp and certified organic cotton fabric, natural Talalay latex, and responsibly sourced solid hardwood. You can also choose between a variety of zero-VOC stains or no finish for their wood furniture.
Since the pieces are made to order by a small business, they don’t accept returns, but reviewers rave about the product quality and service.
Furniture Categories: Seating, Beds, Tables, Accent Furniture
Price Range: $400 (bedside table) – $3,999 (sofa) | Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off!
Shipping: Contiguous U.S. (Or contact for quote)
4. Avocado
Best for: furniture meeting high sustainability standards without compromise
The Certified B-Corporation crafts both their furniture in a FSC-certified facility in Los Angeles and uses materials like 100% reclaimed wood and responsibly-harvested American timber. Additionally, the majority of Avocado’s offerings have certifications like GREENGUARD Gold and the MADE SAFE® seal.
Avocado has fewer options than some of the other companies on this list, but what they do carry is beautifully designed. And I’m all for quality over quantity!
Furniture Categories: Beds, Side Tables, Storage, Accent Furniture
Price Range: $349 (side table) – $3,999 (full bed frame)
Shipping: Contiguous U.S
5. Thuma
Best for: minimalist, modular GREENGUARD-certified furniture
Thuma first started with their simple platform bed frame, made from repurposed rubberwood, and has since expanded into categories like tables, storage, and seating, all keeping their minimalist aesthetic and commitment to sustainability.
The highlight for me is their modular storage system — mix and match open shelf and closed drawer modules as you need to create a nightstand, bookshelf, credenza, dresser, or media console.
Furniture Categories: Beds, Storage, Tables, Seating
Price Range: $495 (nightstand) – $6,675 (corner sectional)
Shipping: Ships within U.S. and Canada (international customers can use freight forwarder)
6. WHAT WE MAKE
Best for: truly reclaimed wood furniture
Based in Chicago, WHAT WE MAKE is an environmentally friendly furniture company that crafts modern furniture from reclaimed materials.
While this is a claim others make without much to back it up, I appreciate that the brand is transparent around where they source their wood — it comes from old Midwestern barns being torn down. The small business also makes the furniture start to finish themselves in Chicagoland and each piece is completed with zero-VOC finishes.
Furniture Categories: Bathroom Vanities, Tables, Storage, Seating
Price Range: $425 (bar stools) – $6,425 (bathroom vanities)
Shipping: Contiguous U.S.
7. Sabai
Best for: repairable furniture that considers the full lifecycle
Sustainable by design, my favorite part about Sabai isn’t just their use of responsible materials, but that their seating is actually repairable and adjustable. You can also purchase replacement parts, slipcovers, or expansion kits.
Not to say their materials aren’t great — you can choose between recycled velvet, upcycled poly, cactus leather (a vegan leather made partially from cactus leaves; be mindful this contains polyurethane) or a natural blend of organic cotton and hemp (my personal top pick).
The frames are made from FSC-certified wood and Sabai uses mechanical fasteners in it’s upholstery process instead of glue, low-VOC stains for their domestic maple legs, recycled fiber fills, and CertiPUR-US® certified foam.
Furniture Categories: Seating, Tables, Accent Furniture
Price Range: $495 (side table) – $6,295 (sectional)
Shipping: Contiguous U.S.; ships to HI & AK for fee
8. Natural Home by The Futon Shop
Best for: futons and Japanese-style beds
As you might guess, The Futon Shop makes sustainable futons, but they also have other furniture like bed frames, including Tatami beds, and sofas (modular, sectionals, and sofa beds).
The woman-founded furniture and mattress company uses eco-friendly materials such as certified organic cotton, organic wool, organic Dunlop latex, OEKO-Tex 100 certified coconut coir and hemp, as well as solid domestically sourced hardwood — all made in the US.
Furniture Categories: Futons, Beds, Sofas
Price Range: $699 (ottomans) – $5,449 (custom sofa)
Shipping: Contiguous U.S. (custom quotes elsewhere) | also offers free in-store pickup
9. Greenington
Best for: sustainable bamboo furniture
Greenington is a bamboo furniture company with sustainably-crafted pieces for every room: from the office to the bedroom. Each piece is made from mature Moso bamboo — one of the fastest growing plants on the planet — that was hand-harvested instead of clearcut. Greenington also uses 100% of the bamboo material, down to the sawdust.
Greenington’s classic line uses laminated solid bamboo strips, while their exotic line uses bamboo fiber bonded with adhesive under heat and pressure, which is a more composite-like process. They don’t specify the adhesive’s VOC or formaldehyde content for either line, so I’d ask directly if that matters to you, especially for the exotic collection.
Furniture Categories: Beds, Seating, Storage, Tables
Price Range: $329 (side table) – $4,139 (dresser)
Shipping: Free contiguous U.S. shipping; HI, AK, PR + Canada shipping available for a fee
10. MasayaCo
Best for: supporting reforestation projects with each purchase
With origins as a reforestation project, MasayaCo is deeply committed to (beyond) sustainable sourcing. They’ve planted 1.2 million trees to date and on average, leave 40% of their reforestation projects completely untouched.
The elegant furniture from MasayaCo is crafted by artisans using teak, and many of their pieces are outdoor friendly too. Something to note though is that the woven elements on some of their stools and chairs is polyester cord.
Furniture Categories: Seating, Storage, Tables, Accents, Outdoor Furniture
Price Range: $295 (stool) – $7,850 (sectional)
Shipping: Ships to U.S.
11. Green Row
Best for: sustainable furniture with a vibrant cottagecore vibe
With wooden furniture featuring elements like scalloped edges and spindle legs alongside upholstery with floral or gingham prints and ruffle edges, Green Row’s sustainably crafted pieces are designed to fit right in amidst your vintage finds.
Part of the Williams Sonoma family, Green Row blends decades of furniture know-how with a commitment to social and environmental standards built from the ground up. Products are made with materials like FSC-Certified wood, natural latex and organic natural fibers.
Furniture Categories: Seating, Tables, Beds, Accents, Outdoor Furniture
Price Range: $299 (stool) – $10,199 (large sofa)
Shipping: Contiguous U.S.
12. Healthier Homes
Best for: natural material seating, storage, and accents
Founded by expert healthy home builders, Jen and Rusty Stout, Healthier Homes is committed to helping you curate a healthier indoor space. And they’ve recently made some great design improvements with their furniture selection too.
On their site, you’ll find furniture — largely seating, storage, and accent tables — made from materials like teak, acacia, mango wood, and jute. Some of their furniture is also “paint it yourself” (not for me, but if you love DIYs, don’t forget to take a look at their selection of zero VOC paints too!)
Furniture Categories: Seating, Small Tables, Storage
Price Range: $185 (bench) – $4,799 (dining table)
Shipping: Contiguous U.S.
Honorable Mentions:
- Saatva: mostly a mattress company, but they have beds as well. Saatva is a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council and sources responsibly-managed wood and has an option for linen upholstery (other upholstery options are plastic fibers), however the exact fiber content of the linen option isn’t disclosed. Due to their limited selection of furniture and the lack of information on their upholstery, they didn’t make it into the full guide.
- West Elm: Furniture company West Elm has some more sustainable collections to their offerings. The company defines “sustainably sourced” as furniture made either from reclaimed wood or FSC-certified wood from responsibly harvested sources. This doesn’t mean that all of the materials were sustainably sourced, or that every product was made with sustainable practices, which is why this is an honorable mention, and not part of our main guide.
Looking For More Eco-Friendly Furniture Guides?
Sustainable Storage: Dressers, Media Consoles, and Sideboards
9 Eco-Friendly Bookcases to Showcase Your Latest Reads
The Best Sustainable Tables To Gather Around
Questions You Might Have:
Is “sustainably sourced” a meaningful claim, or just marketing language?
Good question! 
It depends on what backs it up. As West Elm’s honorable mention shows, “sustainably sourced” can mean anything from FSC-certified wood to a much looser internal standard like quality. The term itself isn’t regulated, unfortunately. Look for a specific certification (FSC-certified for wood, GOTS-certified for organic fabrics, GREENGUARD Gold for testing against harmful chemical emissions) and specific practices and materials, rather than the phrase alone.
What’s the difference between “sustainable” and “non-toxic” furniture?
The short version is they can overlap but they aren’t the same thing.
Sustainable furniture focuses on how materials are sourced and how long a piece lasts — think FSC-certified wood or reclaimed materials. Non-toxic furniture focuses on the impact to human health (usually the consumer’s health, not the maker’s health, though those things can also be interconnected) — like VOCs, formaldehyde, flame retardants. A piece can be one without being the other. For a deeper breakdown of non-toxic-specific criteria, see our Non-Toxic Furniture Brands guide.
The post 12 Best Sustainable Furniture Companies Worth The Investment (2026) appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
12 Best Sustainable Furniture Companies Worth The Investment (2026)
Fall is already such a magical time – leaves changing colors, crisp air, apple orchards, pumpkin patches. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most marketed times of the year.
And they just keep trying to push it on us sooner. I’ve seen fall drinks and decor marketed as early as July.
Truth is, you don’t need a new sweater or pumpkin spice everything to enjoy fall. You need to embrace the season’s magic. Dare I say, whimsy.
Whimsy has been trending, and while I love the idea of it, I’ve also noticed it being repackaged into something brands can sell. Which kind of defeats the purpose?
By definition, whimsy is something ‘freaky, odd, off-beat’ – not exactly something you can buy en masse. True whimsy isn’t performative or sellable. It’s a state of being, a feeling.
Being whimsical should come from your own imagination. Learning new hobbies, being ok with being bad at things, infusing more fun into your days in ways that make you slow down. Even better if it gets you out of the house, into nature, and socializing with friends, family or community.
Here are some whimsical fall activities that will get you off your phone and into the world.
take a nature walk – but with a twist
Going leaf peeping around your neighborhood is a simple way to connect with the outdoors. But if you want to add some whimsy into it, why not challenge yourself to find certain colors, patterns or textures?
It’s fun to take a little journal with you and sketch items of interest you find – maybe it’s a beautiful tree, a squirrel burying their nuts, a field of asters and goldenrod. Taking time to notice is pure magic.
Plant blindness is real – challenge yourself to get familiar with the flora around you. Check out a library book all about native plants and see if you can spot any on your walk.
You may be surprised to learn how many plants are invasive (burning bush is a big one here in Maine!).
Having a fall scavenger hunt is also a fun idea you can get your friends involved in. Challenge them to find an oak leaf, acorns, crabapples – whatever type of fall flora is in your area – and see who can find them first!
write gratitude letters to your loved ones
Snail mail is making a comeback, so why not write to those you care most about? Sometimes it can be hard to say the things we mean in person. But writing helps us sit with our feelings and work through them.
If you need ideas, why not write them:
- Reasons why you love them
- Your best memory together
- How much you appreciate them
- Plans you’re excited to do together
- What you admire about them
Who wouldn’t want to receive a heart-felt letter in the mail? You can make it extra special by slipping in a small little trinket – like a bird feather, a pressed flower, your favorite tea, or a packet of seeds.
And no – you don’t need any fancy stationery to do this. Make it your own by simply using some computer or scrap paper and upcycling an empty envelope. You can decorate it with colored pencils and markers if you like.
join a knitting circle
Who needs to buy a fall sweater when you can knit one? Consider finding a knitting (or crocheting) community in your town you can join. Often times they’ll meet up to exchange supplies and knit together.
Challenge yourself to knit something that pays homage to fall. Whether that be a pretty fall color (think gem-tones like ruby red, golden yellow, etc.), or knitting leaves and/or mushroom patterns, the choices are endless.
Yarn swaps are also growing in popularity – if you can’t find one, create one yourself!
All you have to do is encourage people to meet up at a public place (a park is nice) and bring any yarn supplies they’d like to donate.
And when all else fails – ask your grandmother! She may know a thing or two about knitting, crocheting, sewing, or embroidery. And how fun and cozy would it be to knit something together?
RELATED: Sewing Machine For Beginners: How to Get Started (And Why It’s a Sustainable Skill to Learn)
host a fall-themed cafe at home
Does your friend group love to visit cafes? Why not host a little cafe at home? Put your baking skills to the test and make some cozy fall inspired recipes.
Some drink and recipe ideas:
- Pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls
- Apple cider donuts
- Mulled apple cider
- Chai lattes
- Pumpkin spice coffee
Of course, if you’re not a baker you can still participate by asking your friends to bake some goodies to bring. Or grabbing some fresh pastries from your local farmers market.
You can display the goodies on your dining room table, countertops, or island. Just make sure you have to-go boxes at the ready (or encourage your friends to bring their own)! You don’t want anything going to waste.
Leftovers? Eat them yourself or share with your community. Your neighbors might appreciate a fresh cinnamon roll – and it’s a great way to start a conversation.
host a fall-themed craft night
Whether you make fairy homes, carved pumpkins, or leaf garlands – it’ll be a night to remember! Gather your friends and choose a theme for the night that revolves around fall.
Even better if you’re able to find all your materials locally (aka through foraging or from a farm stand) or thrift them. Thrift stores have tons of decorations, art supplies, and fabrics on hand at much cheaper prices.
Last fall I decorated a pumpkin with leaves and compostable glue (pictured above). I thought the glue would dry clear…but hey, it was a fun experiment. Just goes to show – don’t be afraid to be bad at something or make mistakes! That’s part of the fun.
The craft you pick will depend on your interests and skill levels, but you can’t go wrong with a paint and sip night.
The challenge? Paint a fall scene (be it an autumnal forest, an apple orchard or a pumpkin patch). Best painting wins something that fits with the theme – homemade apple sauce or an apple pie scented candle works.
go on a spontaneous adventure
Why not go on an unplanned day trip and see where it takes you? Maybe you’ll find a cute cafe to stop inside? A cozy locally owned bookstore? A family farm selling homemade apple pies?
Walking or biking around town will help you slow down and see spots you might’ve missed while driving. Plus it’s a great way to admire any changing leaves.
If you prefer a little more structure to your adventure, make a whole day of it. Even better if you gather a few friends or family to join in on the fun.
Here are some fun fall activities you can do as a group:
- Go or apple and/or pumpkin picking
- Visit a corn maze
- Go on a ghost tour
- Tour old mansions or graveyards (if your city allows it)
- Have a cozy fall picnic
- Take a hike
- Tell spooky stories around a bonfire
- Go stargazing (take a blanket and thermos!)
RELATED: Ultimate Fall Bucket List: Budget Friendly + Printable Bingo Card
What are some ways you’re bringing whimsy into your life this fall? Let me know in the comments below!
The post 6 Whimsical Fall Activities To Get You Off Your Screen appeared first on Going Zero Waste.
These brands have all types of sustainable socks for just about all of your footwear or around-the-house needs, from no-shows and performance-ready ankle socks to comfy crew-length and cozy knee-high socks.
I originally wrote this guide about four years ago, and I must say that sustainable socks have upped their game since then. We’ve been able to raise the bar on what it takes to get included in this guide.
What Qualifies as (More) Sustainable Socks?
There are several criterion I’ve used to determine the brands in this guide. Some brands meet several of these criteria and some even meet all of the criteria below.
- Use of at least 70% natural and organic materials, like organic cotton, hemp, and organic wool
- Uses certified organic materials and sources from certified GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) factories and/or Fair Trade factories
- Minimal to no use of synthetic fibers, preferring recycled when there are some synthetics used
- Use of either no dyes, natural dyes or low impact dyes
- Responsibly manufactured, ideally locally made or produced in fair trade environments
You’ll find that most of the sustainable socks in this guide do have a small percentage of synthetics for some stretch. (Though there are three brands with 100% organic cotton socks — check them out below!) I like to use a Guppyfriend Washing Bag to prevent the microplastics from synthetic textiles from being released into our waterways.
In case you have sensitive skin or want a pair of organic socks with an even lower environmental impact, there are also several brands with dye-free sock options.
As mentioned, the brands featured in this guide have all types of socks whether you’re looking for breathable moisture-wicking socks to play tennis in or comfy socks to cuddle up and say warm with. However if you’re looking for more substantial slippers, my guide to eco-friendly and ethical slippers will be a better bet.
The guide features 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!
Where to Find Sustainable and Organic Socks
1. Cottonique
Best for: latex-free organic cotton socks for sensitive skin
Materials: 100% GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton
Price: $18 for Kids (3 pairs) | $23-$28 for Adults (2 pairs)
Categories: Quarter, Crew, Ankle, Kids
Cottonique is the only brand I’ve found so far that sells exclusively 100% organic cotton socks. Founded by and designed for individuals with skin sensitivities, Cottonique’s socks are free of latex, spandex, or any other synthetic stretch.
The socks are also OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified and sewn in the brand’s owned GOTS- and B Corp-certified factory in the Philippines.
I tried out the brand’s crew-length socks and found them to be quite comfortable, and I appreciated the ribbed detail. Without elastic for stretch, they fit snug in order to stay in place, so it’s important to get the right size! I wear a shoe size 7.5-8 and the medium was perfect.
2. Q for Quinn
Best for: soft, dye-free organic cotton socks
Materials: 98 – 100% Organic Cotton
Price: Kids’ from $10 | Adults from $15 / Pair
Categories: Ankle, Crew, and Trouser Socks
Made from 98% GOTS-certified organic cotton (with one pair of socks made of 100% cotton), Q for Quinn’s socks are breathable and super soft. One reviewer calls them the “softest socks I’ve ever worn!” and hundreds of other customers giving five-star reviews seem to agree.
Q for Quinn also has organic dye-free adult and kids’ socks perfect for sensitive skin.
3. Maggie’s Organics
Best for: 100% merino wool socks
Materials: 73% – 99.8% Organic Cotton | 60 – 100% Organic Merino Wool
Price: From $8.50 / Pair
Categories: Footie, Ankle and Crew Socks; plus Allergy, Recovery, and Diabetic
Sourcing GOTS-certified organic fibers and knitting all of their socks in the US, Maggie’s Organics is the real deal when it comes to sustainably-made socks.
The company is also committed to “Real Fair Trade” — they invest in the wellbeing of their farmers and suppliers and are on a journey to become employee-owned.
4. Rawganique
Best for: 100% natural fiber socks (cotton, linen, and wool)
Materials: 100% Organic Cotton, 100% Hemp, and 100% Wool Options
Price: From $12 / Pair
Categories: Anklet, Crew, Knee-High, and Dress Socks
If you’re looking for plastic-free socks, you will love Rawganique. The brand has several options of 100% natural fiber socks that are free of polyester, spandex, or nylon. Select from breathable 100% organic cotton socks, temperature-regulating 100% linen socks, or cozy 100% wool socks.
There are also several options of organic socks blended with a bit of synthetics for some stretch. These options will likely be more suitable for sport and hiking use.
5. Organic Basics
Best for: core-color basics with recycled synthetic blends
Materials: 70 – 75% Organic Cotton
Price: From $14 for 2-Pack
Categories: No-Show, Ankle, Crew, and Knee-High Socks
Focused on only the essentials — and doing them well — Organic Basics creates a range of quality organic socks in core colors like black, gray, blue and white. While these (more) sustainable socks do contain a percentage of synthetics, the majority of the synthetic content is recycled. I also appreciate that the product pages suggest a cooler washing temperature of 30C since clothing care and cleaning can make up a significant portion of a product’s total impact.
6. PACT
Best for: GOTS-certified organic no-show socks
Materials: 75 – 83% Organic Cotton
Price: From $14 for 2-Pack
Categories: No-Show and Crew Socks
PACT’s organic cotton no-show socks are made in a Global Organic Textile Standard certified factory. The no-show pairs come in basic black, white, and tan as well as some cute prints. They feature a new design and silicone grips to make sure they stay in place. That said, the socks unfortunately only come in one size — some of the reviewers who wear a shoe size 9 note that they are a bit too small for them.
7. Harvest & Mill
Best for: Naturally-colored dye-free cotton socks
Materials: 88% Organic Cotton
Price: $10 – $12 / Pair
Categories: Ankle and Crew Socks
Sustainable basics brand Harvest & Mill uses USA-grown and spun cotton for their ankle and crew organic socks. While these socks might look dyed with their earthy colors, they are actually completely dye-free — the natural color cotton varieties Harvest & Mill uses are naturally a muted brown or green.
8. tentree
Best for: hemp-blend white socks that plant trees
Materials: 71% Hemp and TENCEL
Lyocell
Price: $10 – $14 for 2-Pack
Categories: Ankle, Quarter, and Crew Socks
Socks are the crucial foundation of any closed-toe shoe and tentree’s basics are here to ensure you’re always putting your best foot forward. Crafted from a comfortable blend of hemp, TENCEL Lyocell, recycled polyester, their socks come in several lengths in basic pairs.
Plus, every pair plants 10 trees (the reason for their namesake ten-tree).
9. Conscious Step
Best for: giftable cause-driven organic socks
Materials: 75% Organic Cotton
Price: $15.95 / pair
Categories: Ankle and Crew Socks
Conscious Step’s socks are made with Fairtrade and GOTS-certified organic cotton and recycled polyester. The brand’s organic cotton socks are made with an exceptional quality too — with some even featuring a cushioned insole and arch support. But perhaps what this brand is really known for is that each design is associated with a different cause where a portion of your purchase goes.
10. Kind Socks
Best for: organic socks with fun prints
Materials: 80% Organic Cotton
Price: $12 – $14 / pair
Categories: Crew and Ankle Socks
KIND Socks is a Black-owned sustainable sock brand using GOTS-certified organic cotton for their vibrant collections. With prints like monstera leaves, watermelons, and bumblebees, KIND Socks will bring a touch of whimsy to any outfit.
The post 10 Sustainable Socks Made with Organic Fabrics appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
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