Furniture is clogging up landfills

In the U.S. alone, we throw out more than 12 million tons of furniture a year, creating a huge amount of solid waste, which has grown 450% since 1960. This increase is likely the result of  the ‘fast furniture,’ trend; online retailers that offer trendy pieces for a lower price point that can be delivered quickly. This furniture is often made from artificial wood and is cheaply constructed. A few years after buying it, customers simply throw it away because it didn’t hold up or they are just sick of it, replacing it with another cheaply constructed piece. This type of furniture for most isn’t worth trying to repair or resell.

Environmental impact of overseas shipping

But it’s not just budget furniture that comes with an environmental price tag. Many mid-priced or even high-end stores sell furniture that is environmentally problematic, as much of it is made abroad. 

Most retail goods that are brought to the U.S. from abroad come via fossil-fueled maritime ships, which are responsible for a significant amount of climate pollution. According to a study from the Pacific Environmental Group (PEG), maritime shipping accounts for 10–15% of the world’s manmade sulfur oxide and nitrous oxide emissions. These chemicals are linked to increased cases of asthma, cancer, and increased risk of ocean acidity and air smog.  Container imports from America’s 15 largest retail giants generate as much climate pollution as three coal fired power plants, or the energy needed to power 1.5 million American homes. These retail giants produced over 7 times more sulfur oxide emissions than all on-road vehicles in the United States combined, according the PEG.