Any prosperous business within the current era is placing sustainability at the forefront of their agenda. While the catalyst for this shift is primarily focussed on preserving our natural environment, sustainable practices are also integral in supporting a thriving business model, addressing the newfound needs of consumers and creating a healthy working environment.
Reducing your use of materials that ultimately ends up in landfill is key to making positive change, and wood is the most sustainable material you can choose for your business furniture requirements.
An eco-friendly joinery
Tür Offen is a growing business. We understand that in order to maintain strong working relationships with both customers and supply chains, it is our corporate responsibility to incorporate efficient sustainable practices into our working strategy.
The timber industry as a whole recognises the importance of transparency for clients within the sector, thus prompting the Wood First Plus project. This relates to accessible data showing measurement of supply chains, product performance and end-of-life considerations. It also aims to promote timber and timber products as preferred construction materials.
With the supply of sustainably manufactured wood furniture, the work of a joinery is inherently ecological. But we do much more than that! At Tür Offen, we build sustainable relationships by using timbers that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Put simply, our wood is sourced from a sustainably managed forest that is driven by social, ethical and environmental values. Natural habitats are protected and younger, more carbon efficient trees are planted each time they’re harvested. We also minimise ordering levels, reuse materials, and ethically dispose of waste.
When we’ve finished our work, our architrave offcuts are chopped up to use as spacers to prevent damage to the doors when stacked, and any offcuts of doors, frames or broken pallets are donated to the local community and used as firewood. With the increasing price of fuel, we’re always trying to conserve as much energy as possible and constantly looking at ways of recycling our planings and sawdust.
When we’re asked about the sustainability of our materials and work ethic, we’re happy to advise that we’re constantly striving to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
A sustainable material
The ‘circular economy’ has become quite the buzz term in recent times. (It sounds more complicated than it is!) It refers to a linear community, i.e., keeping resources in use for as long as possible and recovering or regenerating at the end of use.
As a natural product, timber is the most sustainable building material, as well as being renewable. When it reaches the end of its natural life, it can be burned or left to rot naturally making it a biodegradable product.
Simply growing trees is good for the environment and plays a major part in combatting climate change! With a requirement for nothing but sunlight and rainfall to thrive, timber production uses significantly less energy than any other mainstream building material. Sustainable forestry ensures maximum Co2 absorption and O2 emissions which further helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We believe that a modern, successful business model should aim to generate energy through renewable sources. That’s precisely why wood is the best material choice for supporting the circular economy.
Greater longevity
As a joinery, we’re all about creating furniture pieces that stand the test of time. A piece of wood furniture will last you a lifetime if treated with care. Scratch that, it might even outlive you – plenty of people inherit a hand-me-down oak cabinet from their Great Grandmothers lounge!
On the flipside, have you ever seen anyone inherit a ‘well-known-swedish-brand-that-sells-loads-of-cheap-and-cheerful-diy furniture’ masterpiece? Well, there’s a good reason for that, and while we’re not here to criticise anyone else’s products, we can guarantee that you won’t get longevity from a mass-produced furniture piece!
Wood furniture is high-end furniture. Why? Because your furniture piece is unique, hand-crafted, durable, valuable, timeless and, often, recyclable. It couldn’t be more sustainable if it tried!
Lowering costs
A successful business drives profitability by reducing costs. That means every choice you make should be a well-considered one.
We can make you a guarantee that the mass-produced, plastic chairs and tables that you’re currently eyeing will cost you significantly less than their wood counterparts. But we can also guarantee that they’ll last a fraction of their lifetime.
Short-term, cheaper. Long-term, way more expensive!
Not only will you be replacing furniture more often than necessary, but you’re also sending more waste to landfill. It’s a zero-sum game! Cheaper furniture materials are more expensive, less durable and hazardous for the environment.
By choosing wood for your seating, tables, cabinets and benches, you’re investing in long-lasting, bespoke products that support a sustainable business model.
Looking for bespoke furniture that supports your sustainability goals?
Consider your brand, and how you choose to be perceived. There’s no greater feeling than knowing you’re contributing to positive change.
Tür Offen is a UK manufacturer of timber doorsets for the residential market, and bespoke joinery for the office fit out market.
Please think hard before investing in costly, bulk furniture that will fail to offer durability, longevity and sustainability. At least have a chat with one of our team first!